A former Ellesmere College student and teenager acquitted of murdering Manchester Grammar School pupil Yousef Makki has been named.

Joshua Molnar, who studied at Ellesmere College, stabbed scholarship schoolboy Yousef, 17, in the heart during a fight in Hale Barns in Cheshire on March 2 of this year.

Molnar also 17, was cleared of the murder and manslaughter of his "good friend" following a four-week trial at Manchester Crown Court in July, telling the jury he acted in self-defence after Yousef pulled a knife on him.

At the time his name was protected, with media banned from publishing any details which would lead to him being identified.

Molnar was sent to a young offenders institute for 16 months though for admitted perverting the course of justice by lying to police about what had happened and possession of a flick knife.

In a statement, Joshua's mother, Stephanie Molnar, said: "Circumstances on the night of March 2 led to our son Joshua accidentally killing his friend Yousef with a knife while defending himself against a knife.

"He was found not guilty to the charges of murder and manslaughter, based on self-defence, in a unanimous verdict.

"The events of that night were a tragedy. These were three friends going out on a Saturday. They should all still be here to lead fulfilling lives but they are not.

"I cannot imagine what Yousef's parents and family must be going through as they try to come to terms with this.

"Joshua fully accepts responsibility for Yousef's death in the act of self-defence and the impact of this acceptance is massive.

"He will have to live with the responsibility of his role in this for the rest of his life.

"We are also acutely aware that the hurt and loss that Yousef's family is experiencing are infinitely greater than anything we are going through and nothing I can say can make up for or change that.

"There were no winners in this case.

"We fully support all the positive steps to celebrate Yousef's life and anything positive in the future that can come from this tragedy is something we would welcome and contribute to in whatever way possible."

A pre-inquest hearing into the death of Yousef Makki is scheduled for October 18 at Manchester Coroner's Court.

Joshua Molnar will be released from custody next March.