A MAN has been cleared of murdering a teenager in a frenzied knife attack.

Declan Eastwood died after being stabbed up to 12 times by Sean Fell.

But Mr Fell had always maintained he only attacked the 17-year-old in ‘self-defence’.

Yesterday, the 25-year-old, of George Street, Haslingden was found not guilty of murder and the lesser charge of manslaughter.

As the foreman of the jury announced the not guilty verdict, gasps could be heard from the public gallery and members of Mr Eastwood’s family ran out of court in tears.

Following his seven-day trial, Mr Fell left the Preston Crown Court smiling surrounded by his family.

Mr Fell's father, John Paul Roche, said: "My heart bleeds for Declan's family. It really does. But Sean did not deserve to be brought to court for defending himself.

"Justice has finally be done.

"I feel completely let down by the police. My lad should never have been in court.”

Kerry Mare Roche, Mr Fell's sister, said the family had always believed in Sean, but they were shocked by the verdict.

She said: "I honestly thought things wouldn't go in Sean's favour and that he would be sentenced to life.

"For the rest of his life, we his family, are going to protect him.

"Since this happened we have cried everyday for Declan.

“I believe there were many people who should have been in that dock but my brother wasn't one of them."

Mr Fell and Mr Eastwood had both been guests at a house in Princess Street, Haslingden in August 2011 when the attack happened.

The pair had what was described by the prosecution as a ‘foolish playground squabble’ after Mr Eastwood blamed Mr Fell for allegedly taking his wallet a couple of weeks earlier.

The court heard that the teenager then punched Mr Fell in the face and that despite going upstairs to get away from Mr Eastwood, Mr Fell was unable to.

After Mr Fell came back downstairs he went to a kitchen drawer and took out a knife.

He claimed the knife was for self protection because he feared being stabbed.

Former Haslingden High School pupil Mr Eastwood then sustained twelve wounds after being stabbed.

The court heard any one of about four injuries, including one to the heart, could have been fatal.

Mark Lamberty, prosecuting, said the incident happened at the home of a family called West.

Mr Eastwood went there in the afternoon and alcohol was drunk.

Towards the end of that night he left, apparently to go to a party.

Mr Eastwood later returned at around 3am. The squabble with Fell then took place.

The jury was told there were four issues raised by the defence. One was that Mr Fell had acted in reasonable self defence.

It was also claimed that Fell had no intention to kill or do really serious bodily harm and that he had an abnormal mental function.

Following his death the parents of Declan Eastwood paid tribute to their “one-in-a-million” son.

Mum Carole Lord said: “His loss has ripped a huge void in the whole family, as I’m sure into the lives of all who knew him.

“The world is a lot darker place by his passing and he will be terribly missed by all.”