THE step-brother of murdered teenager Jay Whiston has described his shock after he was approached by a man carrying a knife.

Lee Whiston, 17, of Alresford, said his involvement in the Only Coward Carry knife campaign, set up by Jay’s mum Caroline Shearer, helped him deal with the incident.

Jay, 17, of Aster Close, Clacton, was stabbed at a house party in Marlowe Way, Colchester, in September last year.

Lee was walking in St Osyth Road, Clacton, on Wednesday when a man riding a bike approached him.

He asked to talk to Lee several times, but Lee refused and walked away.

The man blocked his path and pulled a 5ins long knife out of his clothing.

Lee said: “I was panicking, it was a scary situation, but we’ve learnt how to deal with that sort of situation with Only Cowards Carry.

“After what happened with Jay I just wanted to get away.”

Lee ran into a Tesco Express shop and called the police.

The man followed him, apologising for what had happened.

Lee said: “It could’ve been a lot worse if I hadn’t been taught what to do in that situation to get away without getting hurt.”

Richard Twiner, 28, of Ruaton Drive, was arrested in connection with the incident with Lee Whiston.

He appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday facing one charge of possessing a knife in public.

He did not enter a plea and he was remanded in custody to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on January 2.

It is not believed the incident has any connection to Jay’s death.

Edward Redman, 18, of Halstead Road, Colchester, has been charged with murdering Jay and faces a trial in January.