Carnival victim's family 'to sue'

The family of a young father killed at the Notting Hill Carnival is considering suing the man cleared of his murder.

Solicitor John Williams said the family of Greg Watson, 21, of Northolt, who died after being stabbed during last year's carnival, was looking into starting civil proceedings.

Mr Williams said civil proceedings would most likely be brought on behalf of family members including Mr Watson's parents Bill and Janet, and his daughter, who was only three weeks old when he died.

Sean Cephinis, 20, was cleared of Mr Watson's murder on Monday after Old Bailey judge Peter Beaumont QC ruled that evidence against him was "uncertain" and " inconsistent". Prosecution witness Dwayne Connell, 19, was found guilty of contempt of court at the Old Bailey on Wednesday.

Mr Connell disappeared just before he was to give evidence in the Watson case. He was arrested and spent a weekend in the cells.

Speaking on behalf of the Watson family, Mr Williams said: "This has left the family feeling distraught. As long as no one is prosecuted they cannot come to terms with their grief."