Family torment finally at an end
PAUL Croft’s family have spoken of their ‘torment’ as they waited for justice.
The teenager’s mother, Susan, together with Kirsty have campaigned for his killing never to be forgotten.
The family said: “Paul was much loved by all his family and friends and was a loving son with much life ahead of him.
“Paul was much loved by all his family and friends and was a loving son with much life ahead of him.
“He was taken from us in March 2005 in completely unnecessary circumstances. We cannot express how devastated we have been over the last 12 years that his life has been stolen from him.
“We miss Paul every minute of every day.
“For it to take so long to get Justice for Paul has made this all the harder.
“He has twin boys that he never met. They are growing up without a chance of ever meeting their dad.
“The torment we have felt over the years to know that his killers have been free has made this all the harder to bear.
“Today his killers have been convicted and justice has been served.
“We can try to repair our heartache although no matter how long the sentence is, it will not bring Paul back or make our loss any easier.
“We need to attempt to move on and hopefully today will now provide closure for our pain over the last 12 years, however, we will never forget Paul or the many memories he has given us.
“On behalf of the family, we would like to take this opportunity to thank Greater Manchester Police, who never
gave up, for their continued support and professionalism in this matter.”
Paul’s twin boys, Matthew and Paul, have a photo of the father they never knew in their bedroom.
Paul and Kirsty had planned to marry on her 18th birthday.
She previously told the M.E.N.: “One day when they are older I will get all the press cuttings and videos of the police appeals together, put it all in front of the boys and leave them in a room to take it all in.
“Then I will tell them to call me