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A man was stabbed to death in front of guests at a party held by former world champion boxer Herbie Hide, but almost three years on his killer remains at large, an inquest has heard.

Tafadzwa Khan, 25, known as Taffy, was found dead after a birthday party in Norfolk on March 17, 2012, that was attended by about 200 people.

Police charged partygoer Joshua Burton, 20, with his murder but the case was later dismissed after crucial witnesses refused to come forward.

Mr Khan's stepfather, John Sinclair, hopes a coroner will rule that his stepson's death was unlawful prompting police to consider a fresh prosecution under joint enterprise laws.

An inquest into the death got underway at Norwich Magistrates' Court today.

Reveller Brandon Rodney Lawrence, who appeared in the witness stand escorted by a security guard, told the inquest that the party had become "heated" and "everything went mad".

He said he saw Mr Burton punch Mr Khan but did not see a knife being used.

Mr Lawrence said: "I saw Taffy stumble away. I went to check on him and his eyes were shut. I did not see any blood."

He then left the party with a group including Mr Burton.

In an earlier police statement, Mr Lawrence said that as they drove away he heard a "metal chime" and saw Mr Burton looking as if he had thrown something out of the window. Asked about that today, he repeatedly said: "I can't remember."

Another member of the group received a message on their phone saying "Taffy is dead" as they arrived at a second party, the inquest heard.

James Clough, who attended the party with Mr Lawrence and Mr Burton, said he took out a knife after Mr Khan made "gun signs" at him.

A group restrained him and knocked the knife from his hand.

Mr Clough said: "I don't know what happened to the knife. I didn't see it again."

As the group left, he heard Mr Burton say: "I just stabbed the prick and he's lying down there bleeding."

Asked what happened to the knife, he added: "I think he might have thrown it out of the window. It looked similar to my knife."

At one point the inquest had to be adjourned after Alvin Prescod, Mr Hide's friend whose birthday it was, began shouting at Mr Clough from the public gallery.

The inquest is expected to last three days, with Mr Burton due to give evidence tomorrow.

Mr Khan was originally from Zimbabwe and was living at the YMCA centre in Norwich at the time.

Speaking after the prosecution collapsed, Detective Superintendent John Brocklebank, said: "We know there are people who were at the party in Bawburgh and know what happened, but have not come forward."

Police have said they do not believe Mr Hide was at the house at the time of the death.

Mr Hide won the WBO (World Boxing Organisation) heavyweight title for the first time in 1994.

He regained the title in 1997 and made two successful defences before losing to Vitali Klitschko in 1999.