A MAN who brutally murdered a dad when he callously stabbed him to death in front of his young son has been jailed for life.
Alexander Layton stabbed James Stokoe multiple times after a road-rage row descended into extreme violence.
The 40-year-old bled to death in his BMW following the angry confrontation on Trenchard Avenue, Thornaby, after Layton walked out in front of the car after getting off a bus on May 15 last year.
The 34-year-old had a history of violence against his own mother, including holding a cushion over her face, and was convicted of a robbery while living in Amsterdam, Teesside Crown Court heard.
Mr Stokoe's heartbroken wife and mother made emotional victim impact statements but were too upset to read them out themselves.
Reading them on their behalf, Peter Makepeace QV, prosecuting, said Layton's actions had left a gaping hole in their lives which will never be filled.
Jurors convicted Layton, of Shackleton Close, Thornaby, of murder after considering their verdict for less than three hours.
He was also convicted of possession of an offensive weapon.
James Stokoe's mother Doreen wrote: "I know how much love James had in his heart for his family. Our family will never be in the same. We have so much sadness in our lives now and there is no forgiveness in my heart."
And his heartbroken wife, Alex, said: "I miss James every day. I miss him helping me make decisions in life, particularly parenting choices. James’ life will not be in vain, he will be remembered and loved for as long as I live."
Jurors heard how the murder escalated from a road-rage incident when Mr Stokoe was forced to brake sharply after Layton stepped out in front of his BMW.
A passing nurse carried out a valiant attempt to stem the blood flow but Mr Stokoe was pronounced dead at the scene.
Following the fatal stabbing, Cleveland Police managed to trace Layton's movements as he left Thornaby and headed towards North Yorkshire where he was arrested the following evening at a pizza shop in Great Ayton.
Bryan Cox QC, in mitigation, told the court that his client had a traumatic childhood and suffered from anxiety and depression.
Mr Cox said Layton had a 'complex' relationship with his mother after suffering violence at the hands of his father.
Judge Howard Crowson sentenced Layton to a minimum of 21 years and 162 days in custody from today.
He told Layton that Mr Stokoe had done nothing to deserve the fatal attack he launched on him while he was sitting in a 'defenceless position'.
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also follow our dedicated Teesside Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here