A teenager has today been found not guilty of murdering 18-year-old Aqeel Khan on a housing estate in West Watford.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was acquitted of the murder at Luton Crown Court at the end of a week-long trial.

The 17-year-old pleaded not guilty to murdering Aqeel on the August 22 last year in Croxley View on the Holywell estate.

Aqeel died from a single stab wound, which entered his back between his shoulder blades, piercing his left lung and causing damage to a major artery, from which he bled to death.

During the trial, the prosecution had alleged that there was bad feeling between the accused and at least two other young men.

The court was told the teenager clashed with a group of young men outside a parade of shops in Tolpits Lane.

As violence flared, it was claimed the boy then ran to Croxley View, where he was pursued by a number of young men, including Aqeel.

Moments later, Aqeel - who was said to have been leading the chase - slumped to the ground from a stab wound.

He was rushed to Watford General Hospital, but medical staff were unable to save him.

The accused decided not to give evidence, but the court was told that when he was arrested he claimed he had not been responsible for Aqeel's death, had not been present when he was stabbed and did not know who had stabbed him.

The jury acquitted him of the charge this afternoon.