The mother of a stabbing victim has spoken of the devastating impact the death of her son has had on his family.

Stuart Slade,35, died after he was stabbed eight times in the head and back by Michael Bishop.

Bishop, 25, was found guilty of his manslaughter after a trial at Lewes Crown Court last month.

Mr Slade's mother Maureen Boyling and his family were there to see Bishop jailed for 12 years today.

Her voice shaking with emotion, she told how she and Mr Slade's seven-year-old son Joe have been affected by the killing.

Bishop, of no fixed address, sat in the dock with his had bowed as she said: “I first held Stuart in my arms on the day he was born.

“He was warm and I kissed his cheek and told him I loved him.

“I did this for the last time on December 31, 2008.

“This time he was icey cold as was lying on a mortuary table.

“My life has never been the same since and the grief and sadness is unbearable.

“Two days later we had to tell my grandson about the terrible thing that had happened to his dad.

“It broke our hearts seeing Joe sitting on my lap quietly crying and asking why someone would kill his dad.

“He then said: 'Don't they know he had me?'.

“I miss him very much and would give the rest of my life just to spend one more day with him.”

Mr Slade was found lying in a pool of blood in Hampton Place, off Western Road, Brighton, on December 28,2008.