THE detective who led the hunt for Johnny Delaney's killers still believes he was the victim of a racist attack.
DCI Ged Manley disagrees with views expressed by the trial judge, Mr Justice Richards, at Chester Crown Court on Friday.
After the jury returned two 'guilty' verdicts to manslaughter, the judge said, in his opinion, the attack on 15-year-old Johnny was not racist.
But DCI Manley, crime manager for Chester, Ellesmere Port & Neston, said: 'The judge's comments are for him.'
He added that Johnny's death was investigated using race laws.
DCI Manley went on: 'From the very first day of the investigation, the death was recorded under the definition of the Lawrence Inquiry as racially motivated.'
There was silence in Court 3 as the verdicts were read out by the foreman.
The defendants, who can't be named, were both cleared of murder, which they had denied, but found guilty of manslaughter. They were remanded in custody until sentencing on December 19.
Despite one 'minor scuffle' with the Press outside court after the verdicts were announced, DCI Manley said the Delaney family had conducted themselves with 'dignity and reserve'.
Family liaison officers from Cheshire Constabulary will stay with them to help them adjust to life without Johnny.
DCI Manley would not be drawn on whether the defendants and their families were relocated from the area after the attack in May.
But he said: 'The defendants come from a very close-knit community and there was some potential for some issues in that area but nothing ever materialised.
'No serious threats were made on either side that we are aware of.
'Speaking generally, we do offer risk assessment to the families of defendants as well as witnesses and victims.'
He added: 'This case highlights the fact that anyone who uses serious violence on anyone should be prepared for the consequences in court.'
