We’ll never understand why you did this to Dad

THE relatives of Stuart Morris have described going through “hell and heartbreak” since the murder.

In a personal impact statement, the victim’s daughter, Cleo Algate, described her father’s killer as a “monster and a waste of space”.

Ms Algate’s comments, on behalf of the family, were read out by the prosecutor as Martin Green was given a life sentence.

Ms Algate said: “We want the court to fully understand just how much our dad meant to us and the impact that this horrific murder has had on all of us.”

During the sentencing hearing, the prosecutor described 18-and-a-half stone Mr Morris, 50, as having struggled with diabetes, arthritis and angina for some time. He had mobility problems and was battling issues with alcohol, having “fallen off the wagon” just five days before his death.

The Morris family considered Green a “bad influence” on their dad, who had always helped him out in times of need.

Ms Algate said: “Martin Green can no longer hide behind his lies and deceit.

“He’s put this family through six months of hell and heartbreak, knowing his guilt and not accepting responsibility for the brutal murder (until the last minute) of someone who was supposed to be his friend.”

She added: “Words will never explain the heartache, the anger, the pain and the sadness. We love and miss him so so much every day.”

“Our dad was brutally taken away in one of the most terrible, unforgiving ways and by someone that he called a friend of many years.

“Martin, you knew that we were all still dependent on our dad, you knew some of his children still lived with him and would see Dad every day and you have shattered our world.”

She added: “Dad leaves behind four daughters – myself, Rinee, Leah, Sharna; a step-daughter, Carly, and a son, Sean. He leaves behind his siblings, Colin, Lynn, Graham and Jackie, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many more that loved him dearly.”

Ms Algate said the grandchildren’s hearts were broken.

“Martin, you are a monster, you are a waste of space. You have proved that you were never a friend to our dad.

“Our dad took Martin in out of the kindness of his own heart.

“Dad housed him when he had nowhere to go, fed him when he had no food, when everyone else abandoned him.

“Martin, he saw the good in you, he trusted you and you literally stabbed him in the back. We will never understand why you did this.

“Our dad was our rock and our shoulder to cry on. He was our big, cuddly, gentle giant. We never got to say goodbye, or to have one last ‘I love you’ or one of his hugs where all your troubles just melt away, or even to say ‘thank you’ for being our dad.”