‘Angry’ teen, 16, is jailed for murder of mum
THE FAMILY of Halifax mumof-three Paige Gibson have spoken of their devastation and loss as her teenage murderer was told by a judge that he would have to serve at least 16 years in custody before being considered for release.
The 16-year-old drug user, who stabbed the 23-year-old in the chest during an early hours disturbance in June, was convicted of her murder following a trial at Bradford Crown Court and before a sentence of life detention was imposed prosecutor Nicholas Campbell QC read out moving victim impact statements from her family.
Her mother Joanne said every morning when she woke up she had to remind herself that the murder had actually happened and it wasn’t just a very bad nightmare.
She described her daughter as “a kind, funny and loving” person who loved dancing and cheerleading as a child, but the court heard that issues as a teenager led to Paige becoming addicted to drugs.
“Crack (cocaine) was her escape route to help with the pain she was suffering, but in reality it just made everything worse,” she said.
She said the teenager had shown no remorse for what he had done and had tried to blame others.
“He does not appreciate the devastation he has caused our family,” she said.
“This tragedy has ripped out my heart and soul. I feel so empty, so hurt and so, so sad.”
The teenager, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, had armed himself with a knife from another flat at Weavers Brook in Cumberland Close, Ovenden, after a row with Miss Gibson over items she was supposed to sell so he and a friend could get drugs that night.
During the trial the jury saw CCTV footage of the fatal stabbing which took place during a disturbance in a corridor outside the flat Miss Gibson shared with her partner.
The Recorder of Bradford Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC said he took account of the psychiatric and psychological assessments of the teenager, but he concluded that the motivation for the crime was anger.
The judge emphasised that the 16-year term was the minimum the teenager would have to serve in custody before being considered for release.
This tragedy has ripped out my heart and soul. I feel so empty, so hurt and so, so sad.
ONLINE: Read more on this at www.halifaxcourier.co.uk