THE detective who led the investigation into the killing of Michael Keen has urged anyone to report drug dealers.

A jury at Preston Crown Court heard Mr Keen collapsed and died after being stabbed 15 times in his Darwen home over a debt owed to a Merseyside drugs gang.

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Daniel Bamford, 18, a “foot soldier” in that gang, was found guilty of manslaughter and is due to be sentenced today.

Detective Inspector Zoe Russo warned anyone who has any information on drug-dealing to come forward before it was too late for someone else.

She also said officers in East Lancashire were working with police in Merseyside to identify those “higher up” in the gang.

She said: “Bamford is part of an organised crime group. If you look at it as a tree, he’s probably at the bottom of it. I am sure there are individuals that are higher up who are the organisers of this.

“But it doesn’t take away from the fact that he was responsible for the injuries caused to Michael Keen.

“We have been working with Merseyside Police from day one of the investigation. We will always liaise with our colleagues – it potentially leads to other enquiries.”

Bamford was identified as a suspect within 12 hours of the 50-strong officer murder investigation and charged within days. Despite the quick progress DI Russo confirmed officers worked 17-hour days to get the case to court.

And despite having secured a conviction, police are continuing to provide support to Mr Keen’s family following his “horrific” killing.

DI Russo said: “Any sort of murder investigation is serious. It’s the most serious crime that you can come across, regardless of who it is and how it has happened. This is the same with Michael Keen.

“He has been stabbed in his own home. He’s received 15 stab injuries which is absolutely horrific.

“You have got family, you have got friends and it’s absolutely devastating for them. We want to get the truth and we want to do everything we can to find out what happened in that house.”

She added: “If anybody has any information about drug dealing in their area they need to ring 101 or Crimestoppers, on 0800 555111.

“If we’re not told about it, we can’t act upon it.”