Murder probe into death of GMB weatherman Alex Beresford's cousin who was fatally stabbed on street where Jill Dando died is DROPPED because knifeman 'was defending his home'
- Nathaniel Armstrong was fatally stabbed in Fulham, London, on March 16, 2019
- Lovell Bailey, 29, was arrested at Gatwick Airport and charged with his murder
- However, CPS decided to drop the case because of no prospect of conviction
- He died just 11 days after his weatherman cousin Alex Beresford intervened in a GMB debate on knife crime in the UK
The murder probe into the death of Good Morning Britain's weatherman Alex Beresford's cousin has been dropped because his attacker 'was defending his home'.
The investigation into the fatal stabbing of Nathaniel Armstrong, 29, in Fulham, west London, on March 16, 2019, was discontinued after the CPS found 'there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction'.
Mr Armstrong died just 11 days after his popular weatherman cousin intervened in a GMB debate on knife crime with John Apter, chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales.
He won widespread praise for his comments on how to tackle youth violence in the black community.
But, shortly afterwards, his cousin was stabbed in the chest and died of a ruptured heart.
The Gregg's worker died in the same street, Gowan Avenue in Fulham, that Jill Dando was murdered in.
Nathaniel Armstrong was fatally stabbed in Fulham, London, on March 16, 2019, just 11 days after his popular weatherman cousin intervened in a GMB debate on knife crime
Lovell Bailey, 29, from Birmingham, was arrested at Gatwick Airport, charged with murder and appeared in court, but the case was dropped last June, it has now emerged.
It has now emerged that the decision was taken after the Crown Prosecution Service reviewed their own decision and sought extra advice from a Queen's Counsel.
They decided that there was little prospect of a conviction if Mr Bailey used the 'Homeowner's Defence'.
In 2013 the High Court ruled that householders can use a disproportionate level of violence if they reasonably believe it is necessary.
Mr Armstrong's parents listened to the hearing via video link at West London Coroner's Court.
The inquest heard evidence from police reports and advice from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) regarding the murder investigation into Mr Armstrong's death.
Senior coroner Chinyere Inyama said: 'Mr Bailey was arrested and counsel's view was that there was danger if the CPS proceeded in a charge of murder.
'There was real concern that there was a likelihood of unsuccessful prosecution based on the Homeowners Defence.
'They had a review from an operative from the CPS homicide unit.
'They had some concern because there is a likelihood that Mr Bailey would be able to avail himself under what is called the Homeowners Defence.
Alex Beresford won widespread praise for his comments on how to tackle youth violence in the black community
'They then had further advice from Queen's Counsel.
'Having had that, they decided the prospect of conviction was not enough so they discontinued the prosecution.'
Speaking outside the inquest Mr Inyama told of CCTV evidence which showed two men approaching a house before Mr Armstrong was stabbed, suggesting a possible argument for self defence.
A family tribute read aloud at his inquest read: 'His beautiful essence transcended to people across all walks of life.
'There was an outpouring of love and affection after his passing.
'Nathaniel left footprints on everybody's hearts. He will be sadly missed.'
Mr Inyama expressed his condolences to the family and read evidence to the court.
He said: 'He was fatally stabbed at 00.17am on March 16, 2019.
'Police found Mr Armstrong lying in the road with stab wounds to the chest.
'Paramedics arrived shortly after and tried to save him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
'He was pronounced life extinct on March 16, 2019. He died outside 1 Gowan Avenue.'
Referring to the medical cause of death, he added: 'This was due to hemoperricardium or bleeding around the heart due to stab wounds to the chest.'
A pathologist report confirmed Mr Armstrong, born in Basingstoke, died from stab wounds.
Toxicology reports suggested Mr Armstrong was under the influence of cannabis when he died but the inquest heard this did not account for his death.
Mr Inyama said: 'THC was detected in rations that would indicate recent cannabis use.
'He was therefore likely to be experiencing the effects of the drug at the time of the incident.
'Cannabis in the system did not account for his death.'
The senior coroner gave a narrative cause of death and said the family 'are not going to get the answers you wanted.'
He said: 'Nathaniel Armstrong was fatally stabbed by an identified assailant.
'But there is insufficient evidence to be sure of the justification or otherwise of the action taken by the assailant
'Condolences to all of you. It has hardly given you more answers.
'It is one of those cases where you are not going to get the answers you wanted from the criminal prosecution or the coroners' process.'
Mr Beresford said at the time: 'No-one would have expected it, especially after I spoke out. You couldn't make it up.
'It's come as a big surprise that it's happened to Nathaniel.He is 29, not in a gang, he went to a good school, university.
'Nathaniel was a bright young man with his whole life ahead of him and this tragedy is yet one more example of a needless life lost to knife crime.'
In a chat with host Piers Morgan, John Apter, chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, had called for more prisons to be built as a deterrent.
Mr Beresford then shouted across the GMB studio: 'Prison doesn't work though. It does not work.
'I've grown up in some of these communities you guys are talking about. Prison is not a deterrent. Some of these boys don't fear prison.
'If you don't change the environment you won't change anything and that's the key thing.
'This has been happening for years. And it's not always in the media. It won't change. It's going to take several things to come together. Yes policing is one thing.'
When Piers Morgan argued in favour of stop-and-search, Alex said: 'Often you don't catch them, Piers. Avon and Somerset Police I know for a fact do knife sweeps.
'Often you get the innocent young black boy who gets stopped by police and gets frustrated.
'We've all seen them on social media where they get arrested because they can't control their anger.
'That's how that relationship with the police breaks down.'
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