THREE teenagers involved in the run up to a fatal stabbing will not face any further action despite a 4,000 strong petition calling for justice.

The family of dad-of-one Darren Kelly launched a campaign calling on the Crown Prosecution Service to bring lesser charges against the youths after a jury acquitted them of murder.

Mr Kelly, 42, was stabbed six times, including twice in the lung, after he was chased down by a group who wrongly thought he was a paedophile.

Chris Carroll, 20, was last week jailed for a minimum of 21 years after being convicted of the murder following a six-week trial.

Two 17-year-old boys and a 16-year-old girl walked free from court.

During the trial, Chelmsford Crown Court heard each of the teenagers, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had a part to play in the build-up to the brutal stabbing.

Despite the petition, drawn up by Mr Kelly's cousin Nikki Sillence about a week ago, getting the backing of more than 4,000 people the Crown Prosecution Service said the case will not be reopened.

A spokesman said the service stands by the jury's decision to acquit the youths and also find them not guilty of manslaughter, which could have been a possible verdict.

The spokesman said: "The judge directed the jury about the alternative offence of manslaughter.

"If they were of the view that a defendant intended only that Mr Kelly should suffer some harm, falling short of really serious harm, it was open to the jury to find that defendant guilty of manslaughter and not murder.

β€œIt is not possible or appropriate to pursue lesser charges against the teenage defendants as there is no recourse to a re-trial on the same facts.

"Part 10 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 allows for re-trials only where new and compelling evidence has come to light.

"Also, whilst fully respecting the decision of the jury, we are satisfied that the case was properly charged and prosecuted.”

Mum-of-three Mrs Sillence, 38, of Little Lullaway, Basildon, said Mr Kelly's family will continue with the campaign despite the tough stance.

She said that Mr Kelly's daughter Zoe had even arranged to meet up with Stephen Metcalfe, Tory MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, to lobby for action.

She said: "This is not acceptable - something does have to be done. We are really willing to fight this to the bitter end.

"We are going to push it further and go through the Ministry of Justice.

"What the CPS have done is just riled people up, who want to back us even more. They have added fuel to the fire."

The 16-year-old girl, who was 15 at the time of the attack, arranged to meet Mr Kelly in Caister Drive, Pitsea, after speaking to him over an anonymous messaging app.

Mr Kelly, of Voysey Gardens, Pitsea, died at Basildon Hospital hours after he was attacked.

To view the petition, visit change.org/p/ministry-of-justice-justice-for-darren-kelly.