Briton stabbed to death in New York

A 25-year-old British man who was working as a football coach in America has been stabbed to death in New York.

Mike Jones, originally of Tarleton, Lancashire, was attacked in the early hours of Sunday morning, a spokesman for the New York Police Department (NYPD) said.

He was found with a severed ear and stab wounds to his torso and neck, police said.

Mr Jones, who coached New York Red Bulls' juniors, was declared dead on arrival at Bellevue Hospital, New York.

The police force spokesman said officers answering a 911 call had found Mr Jones on the street near 25 West 14th Street.

He confirmed a "homicide investigation" was under way and CCTV footage of a suspect was released to the media.

John Parkinson, treasurer of Tarleton Corinthians who Mr Jones used to play for, said everyone knew him as "Jonesy".

He said: "We are trying to come to terms with it. He was a genuine lad, no trouble. He was not a lad who would look for trouble or anything like that. He is not the sort of lad that would be up to no good...it's a big shock to us. We are stunned."

Mr Parkinson said his wife Betty, who is the chair of the club, had been to see his parents and that they were "in a state of shock".

He said Mr Jones had been with the senior team from the age of 17 until he went to the US on a scholarship.