The family of a student fatally stabbed by his boyfriend have thanked all those who helped to bring his killer to justice.

Members of Jason Brockbanks’ family, from Whitehaven in Cumbria, were present throughout the seven-day trial of accused Aaron Ray, at Newcastle Crown Court.

Despite the defendant’s claims that any injuries suffered by Mr Brockbanks were inflicted upon him in self-defence, the jury took only 90-minutes to return a unanimous guilty verdict to the charge of murder.

Mr Brockbanks, 24, died on September 24, last year, only ten days after returning to Newcastle to resume his studies at Northumbria University after spending the summer break in Cumbria.

Read more: Aaron Ray to be sentenced for murder of Jason Brockbanks, on Thursday

Despite knowing Mr Brockbanks had suffered serious injuries, in the incident in the victim's flat, 21-year-old Ray left him in the room and took a taxi back to his Sunderland home just minutes after carrying out the attack.

The deceased’s blood-stained body was only found slumped in the shower cubicle of the en-suite room, on the fourth-floor of the Mansion Tyne accommodation block in Newcastle, more than three days later, following concern for his welfare being raised by his family.

Northumbria Police immediately launched a murder investigation and arrested Ray when CCTV footage showed him and Mr Brockbanks returning to Mansion Tyne after a night out in Newcastle, not long before the fatal stabbing.

Upon the conviction of Ray at the conclusion of the trial today, Mr Brockbanks’ family paid tribute to their son.

In a statement they said: “We would like to thank the police for all their assistance and support throughout this matter and the prosecution barrister (David Lamb KC) and their team.

Read more: Jury out: Sunderland man Aaron Ray denies murder of Jason Brockbanks

“We would also like to thank the jury for making the correct decision. 

“We would like to thank Jason’s friends and the Mansion Tyne staff for their support throughout the trial. 

“We miss our beloved son dearly and we are thankful we have justice for Jason.”

The senior investigating officer in the case, Detective Inspector Tomasz Fowler, of Northumbria Police, said: “First and foremost I would like to pay tribute to Jason’s family for the strength and courage they have shown throughout the legal process.

“Their lives have been devastated by his death and we once again express our condolences to them.

“We sincerely hope that today’s conviction provides a degree of closure.”

Det Insp Fowler added: “Aaron Ray showed no regard for Jason’s life and has deservedly been convicted of his murder.

“On the night he killed Jason, he disposed of the murder weapon and fled the scene, failing to notify the emergency services that Jason had been seriously injured.

“If he had raised the alarm and called 999, Jason could still be alive today.

Read next:

               Closing speeches in trial of man accused of Jason Brockbanks' murder

               Man in court for Jason Brockbank's murder accused of lying

               Aaron Ray police interview during trial for murder of Jason Brockbanks

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“Jason had been enjoying living in the North East after moving to the region and had his whole life ahead of him. 

“We thank the jury for seeing through his (the defendant’s) lies and providing justice for Jason’s family and friends.”

Following today’s guilty verdict, Ray, of Mayfield Road, South Hylton, Sunderland, will be sentenced at the court on Thursday (March 23).