The killer of a 25-year-old man at a house in Norwich remains at large nearly two years after the murder, an inquest heard today.

James Davis, 25, from Clarendon Gardens, Wembley, London, was stabbed to death at an address in Old Palace Road on June 3, 2010.

A Norwich inquest heard that seven people were originally arrested on suspicion of murder, but no one has ever been charged.

Mr Davis, a voluntary care worker and father-of-one, was one of four people who travelled to Norwich from London.

The inquest heard that the group visited an address in Old Palace Road to 'take some property' from one of the five male occupants but an altercation ensued, and Mr Davis was stabbed through the heart and died.

Mr Davis' father, Calixte Davis, who attended the inquest, thanked police for carrying out a thorough investigation and for their support, but added: 'I feel the law is woefully inadequate. Someone obviously committed this crime. It's a travesty of justice that that person is walking free. I feel very dissatisfied with the law as it stands.'

Detective Chief Inspector Jes Fry, who investigated the murder, told the inquest that he could understand the family's understandable unhappiness that no one had been brought to justice.

He said: 'We know that four men entered the address. One of those persons had a gun and one was James Davis. 'We believe they travelled from London, and met other men in the house.

'We believe they had gone there to take some property from one of the people residing at that address.

'Seven people were arrested on suspicion of murder, but no prosecution has been proffered at this stage. The investigation will remain open, and should any further evidence come to light, it will become available to the CPS.'

Pathologist Dr Nathaniel Carey gave the cause of death as a stab wound to the heart, but also told the inquest that Mr Davis had also been stabbed on the buttocks and thigh and had a cut on his hand which could have been a defensive injury.

The inquest also heard from Gbenga Ibikunle who was living at the address at the time.

He said: 'At about 1.30am I heard a lot of noises and heard a thud against my door. At 1.40am I received a call from another occupant who said she had also heard the commotion.'

They both came out of their rooms and Mr Ibikunle said he saw bloodstains on the wall, and a man lying face down on the floor.

They phoned 999 and were given instructions over the phone on how to help Mr Davis, who was later pronounced dead.

Norfolk coroner William Armstrong recorded a verdict of death as a result of a stab wound to the heart inflicted by another person.

He said: 'From speaking to James' parents and partner, I know that James was well-loved by his family, and was a kind and considerate person, although someone who was naive and trusting. More than 500 people attended his funeral.'

david.bale2@archant.co.uk