THE mum of a horse groom who was stabbed to death told how she feels “heartbroken” for the family of Denis Petkov after a murder probe was dropped.

Animal lover Laura Davies, 21, was stabbed 81 times by controlling boyfriend Jordan Taylor on Friday, July 3, 2015 after she decided to break up with him.

The pair were living together in the grounds of the Essex Horse and Pony Sanctuary, in Pitsea Hall Lane, Pitsea, after Laura took in Taylor, 23.

He was convicted of murder and jailed for a minimum of 23 years in January last year.

Laura’s mum Dyanne Lambert, 55, from Basildon, said that Taylor’s sentence helped her find some peace - something Mr Petkov’s family cannot achieve.

The Echo revealed yesterday how Mihal Dobrev, 37, of East Hanningfield Road, Rettendon, had been due to stand trial accused of murdering Mr Petkov, 19, but the East of England Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) offered no evidence against him.

Mrs Lambert said: “It’s disgusting that this could have happened.

“My heart goes out to the family, I feel heartbroken for them.

“For Jordan Taylor to get 23 years in prison is pretty good and it gives me peace to know that he is not out there roaming the streets.

“He can’t hurt any other woman.

“This family don’t have that, I just don’t know what they must be going through.”

Mrs Lambert said that in her daughter’s case there was a lot of strong evidence to suggest that Taylor was responsible for Laura’s murder.

She said: “He was there at the scene and he was covered in Laura’s blood.

“I was 100 per cent him.

“They need to get enough evidence to convict. Without that, what more can the police do?

“Sometimes you have got to wait for somebody to come forward with more information.”

Essex Police has confirmed it is not looking for anyone else in relation to the death of the Bulgarian teenager.

A spokesman for the East of England CPS said: “Should new evidence become available then the matter would be reviewed in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors to determine whether there was sufficient evidence for proceedings to be reinstated.

“The family of Mr Petkov would be entitled to request that the decision not to proceed was reviewed in accordance with the Victims Right to Review scheme. No such request has been made at this stage.”

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

Anyone with information can contact the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate on 101.