Heartbroken parents’ relief as jury delivers guilty verdict

Darren’s father and mother have spoken of their relief at Coventry’s conviction but admitted the heartache of losing their son will never go away.

John and Margaret Adie have been in court for every minute of the six-day trial and were forced to relive the tragic events of last May.

Mrs Adie in particular was visibly shaken as the jury was played the 999 call made by local woman Frances McArthur, who discovered Darren dying on the pavement and recalled how she could hear his last breaths.

Yesterday’s outcome provided some sort of closure in a way, but Mr Adie said it had been “very hard” to see the man who killed Darren sitting just yards away in the dock.

“It has had a big effect on the whole family,” Mr Adie said.

“It will never go away – I don’t think it will ever go away.

“We’re old folk now anyway and it will be with us for the rest of our lives. “Your life will never be the same. “We’re just glad it’s all over and that Darren’s got justice. He was our son and he wasn’t what was painted in court. He never carried a knife.”

Asked what they made of the sentence, Mr Adie added: “It doesn’t matter whether hanging was still going, it wouldn’t bring Darren back. “It won’t help us.” Friends of Darren, including close pal Amanda McMahon who gave evidence during the trial, hugged each other outside the courtroom moments after the sentence was passed down by Lord Uist.

“It will be with us for the rest of our lives”: Darren Adie’s parents John and Margaret.

Darren suffered a single six-inch stab wound to the left side of his chest which pierced his heart and lung.