A MURDER probe has been dropped four months after a 19-year-old was stabbed to death.

Mihal Dobrev, 37, of East Hanningfield Road, Rettendon, was charged with murdering Denis Petkov just before midnight on Saturday, March 11. He had denied the charge at a previous court hearing.

However, the East of England Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have offered no evidence against him ahead of a scheduled trial at Chelmsford Crown Court. It was due to begin today and last three weeks.

A spokesman said the service can “no longer proceed with the case” against Mr Dobrev.

Essex Police are not looking for anyone else in relation to the death of the Bulgarian teenager.

Jenny Hopkins, chief crown prosecutor for the region, said: “Mihal Dobrev was charged in March 2017 on the basis that there was a reasonable suspicion he had committed the offence and there were reasonable grounds for believing the continuing investigation would provide further evidence within a reasonable amount of time.

“In order to proceed, all cases have to meet the tests under the Code for Crown Prosecutors, namely that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and it is in the public interest to go ahead.

“The continuing investigation has not provided us with the necessary further evidence.

“We have therefore reviewed the case with senior police officers and independent counsel and CPS East of England has concluded there is insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction against Mr Dobrev.

“This decision means that the case cannot proceed and so we have offered no evidence against him.

“We extend our sympathies to the family of Mr Petkov.”

Promising footballer Denis died in the stairwell of his flat in East Hanningfield Road, Rettendon, after being stabbed. He suffered a single stab wound to his neck.

He had moved to Britain from his native Bulgaria to work and find his fortune.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Based on the information known at the time by Essex Police, it was the correct decision to charge, but as the investigation continued, it became clear that there was not a realistic prospect of conviction.

“This was a tragic incident in which a young man lost his life, and we have kept Mr Petkov’s family in Bulgaria, fully informed of developments throughout the investigation.

“Officers are satisfied that they are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with the death of Mr Petkov.

“Anyone with information is asked to make contact with the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate. A file will now be prepared for Her Majesty’s Coroner.”

Following the death of the teenager, his heartbroken mum Diana Petkova told how he was the “heart and soul of his group of friends.”

She said at the time: “He was a wonderful, good and happy boy who always had a smile on his face

“Denis was my darling boy who filled me with pride and I am unable to describe how much I miss him.”

Anyone with information can contact police on101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.