Jailed after row led to murder
Their heartbreak as killer gets life
of the party” there.
As this was read out at Newcastle Crown Court, Lee showed no emotion.
The 25-year-old – who has a history of violence – denied killing the man friends dubbed a “Sacriston legend”.
His death had rocked the County Durham village to its core. More than £9,000 was raised for his funeral.
But nobody was more “numb” than his family.
In victim statements read out at Friday’s sentencing, his girlfriend – who had been with him for a decade since she was 13 – was “devastated”.
She told of the plans they had as well as his caring, kind nature – and a sense of being robbed.
Prosecutor John Elvidge QC spoke of “a future gone, ripped from them”.
“She’s lost her confidence and has been devastated by the loss of Ryan, who she loved,” added the barrister.
The court heard of Ryan’s joy at the childhood gift of a bike – which ultimately played a role in his untimely death.
He ended up working with his dad, and the court heard how his dad’s heart “burst with pride” the day he got to start working with his own son.
But after Ryan’s death, the firm folded as it simply “couldn’t carry on without him”.
In his statement, his father added: “No parent should ever have to go through this.”
And his mum asked one simple question – “why him?”.
“What did he ever do to anyone?” she asked via her statement.
Lee, of Viola Crescent in the village, was handed a life sentence and will serve a minimum of 19 years behind bars.