THE partner of John Kinsella, who gave birth to their child the day before the start of the trial, will never forget the brutal image of his murder.

Detective constable Carolyn Dentith, a family liaison officer for the Kinsella family read out a touching tribute on behalf of Wendy Owen.

She said: “John was my long-term partner and the father to our six-week-old baby.

"He was brutally taken from us on the morning of May 5 right in front of me leaving me with heartbreaking images for the rest of my life.

“Our child will never see her dad and John will never get to see her grow up and enjoy all the important stages of her life and future as any other parent would.

“Our lives have now changed forever. I will miss John with all my heart and all the plans we have made for our family’s future.

“I hope his killers get the sentence they deserve and are able to reflect on what they have done.

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PICTURED: Mark Fellows

“I would like to thank Merseyside Police in bringing John’s killers to justice and I will now begin the sad task of trying to pick up the pieces of our life and move on with our child.”

The family of John Kinsella have also paid tribute to the 'devoted father and grandfather'.

Speaking outside Liverpool Crown Court, detective constable John Kerr, family liaison officer for the Kinsella family, said:

“John was dignified, compassionate and extremely generous. He had many friends, he was a devoted father and grandfather and was delighted to learn in the weeks before his death he was to become a father once again.

“None of us can believe John has left out lives. It is always sad to lose a loved one but John was a huge character and a massive part of our lives. We are all truly devastated at the way his life was taken in such a callous, cowardly and cruel manner by the weak and cowardly actions of Mark Fellows and Steven Boyle.

“In a way we are the lucky ones we knew John. He was a big part of our lives. Perhaps the person who has lost the most is John’s newborn baby who will grow up without a father and John will never get to hold and love her.

“John will be missed by his many friends and family and of course his beloved Wendy, who we have taken to our hearts."

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PICTURED: Paul Massey

The family of Paul Massey also shared their grief in a joint statement outside court.

“Since the day our dad was killed, the kindness shown to us by the people of Salford and across the country has been overwhelming and we his family have found strength from your support.

“And for this we will always thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

“For us as a family it is not the final chapter but justice has been served.

"We hope it gives us the peace of mind that the people responsible are now being punished for their crimes which have destroyed many lives and it is now time as a family to begin the challenge of rebuilding our lives. We thank you all so much."

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PICTURED: Mourners at Paul Massey's funeral