‘Loss of Louise has destroyed our family’
FAMILY IN TEARS AS SHANE MAYS IS CONVICTED OF MURDERING 16-YEAR-OLD
THE family of teenager Louise Smith have spoken of their anguish as her killer was found guilty of murder.
Shane Mays, left, denied murder but admitted the manslaughter of Louise, 16, pictured right. He is due to be sentenced today.
After the verdict, Louise’s father, Bradley Smith said her death had ‘destroyed our family.’ He added: ‘Louise was very much loved her whole young life.’
THE parents of Louise Smith wept outside court after Shane Mays was convicted of her brutal murder.
Shortly after jurors convicted the 30-year-old at Winchester Crown Court, both Rebbecca Cooper and Bradley Smith's sides of the family flanked Detective Inspector Adam Edwards.
Rebbecca and her partner wore purple T-shirts with ‘Justice 4 Louise Violet Smith’ written on the front.
Family members wept as Det Insp Edwards, senior investigating officer from Hampshire police, read out their statements.
The statement from Rebbecca Cooper said: ‘We would like to thank everyone who contributed in finding justice for our beautiful daughter Louise.
‘No words can describe the loss we feel on a daily basis.
‘She was our sunshine, and is truly missed by all who knew her.
‘I cannot put it into words, but the pain inside is unbelievable just knowing we will never see her again.
‘It has been a very hard few months and the last four weeks have been traumatising to say the least.’
She praised prosecutors and said the family could ‘finally grieve’ following the conviction.
In a statement also read by police, Louise’s father Bradley Smith said: ‘Louise was very much loved her whole young life.
‘As a family we wanted to give her happy times like taking her on holiday.
‘We all find it impossible to accept that we will never hear her voice or see her cheeky smile again.
‘Our chance to see her grow up has been ripped away from us.’
He said he moved away and tried to build a life for him and Louise but will ‘never get a chance to share that with her’’.
He added: ‘The loss of Louise has destroyed our family.'
He thanked the Leigh Park community for supporting the family and investigation.
Det Insp Adam Edwards said Louise's death was an 'absolute tragedy' and also praised Leigh Park for helping police.
He said there was a 'shocking level of violence' inflicted upon Louise by Mays, who was due to be sentenced today.
The pain inside is unbelievable – just knowing we will never see her again.
Rebbecca Cooper