'I still can't believe he's gone' - Mother of murder victim Rory Hemmings pays loving tribute to her son

Mr Hemmings, aged 29, was stabbed in the chest by Steven Ray following a fight inside a property on Errington Crescent in Arbournethorne on November 15.

The dad to two young girls aged four and eight, collapsed and died outside the property just after 9am.

A Post-mortem examination found Mr Hemmings died from a single stab wound.

A jury at Sheffield Crown Court returned a majority verdict of murder in 11 hours and 59 minutes.

In a statement, Rory's mother said: “Myself and my family miss Rory with each passing day. Losing him has been very hard; I still can’t believe he’s gone and that his two daughters will have to grow up without their father.

“Rory had so many friends and was loved by everyone, he wasn’t a bad person, he was just going through a very difficult time in his life, but he would have been fine.

“He wasn’t given that chance though and I feel that my son’s name has been tarnished throughout the trial, and what saddens and frustrates me even further is that he that he isn’t here to able to speak and defend himself.

“Rory loved his girls and would have done anything for them, they meant so much to him and were his absolute world.

"There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t miss him, but I’m pleased with the verdict today, and that the man responsible for taking Rory’s life will have to face up to what he did and be in prison for a long time.”

Detective Chief Inspector Craig Jackson said: “This is an incredibly tragic case where the jury were asked to decide upon whether the defendant’s actions were proportionate in the circumstances. They clearly decided that this was not the case. His response was in fact grossly disproportionate and that he was not acting in self-defence.”

“My thoughts are with Mr Hemmings family and friends including his two young daughters. I hope today provides them with a sense that justice has been served.”