A man has been convicted of murder after stabbing another man after a long-running parking row.

Andrew Darn died from a single stab wound to his chest on the Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate in North Tyneside just before 9am on March 27 this year.

The 35-year-old worked at a premises on the industrial estate in a unit neighbouring business ‘The Deli’, owned by 68-year-old Alder Willis.

Just an hour later, having fled the scene Willis attended Middle Engine Lane police station where he handed himself in – in possession of a kitchen knife used during the attack.(Image: Northumbria Police)

An investigation launched by Northumbria Police’s Major Investigation Team (MIT) revealed the assault came as a culmination of a long-standing dispute originally over parking amongst the two neighbouring premises – of which Willis was an owner and Andrew, an employee.

An altercation the afternoon of the previous day led to Willis threatening Andrew, saying ‘I’m going to kill you’. Willis then returned to work the next day armed with a knife in his pocket, and, following a short altercation, Willis stabbed him.

Just after the assault, Willis, having fled to his home address, told his wife ‘I’ll see you in 15 years’ – before handing himself in.

A day later, Willis, of Allanville, Camperdown, North Tyneside, was charged with murder and possession of a bladed article.

On August 29, following an almost two-week trial at Newcastle Crown Court, a jury found Willis guilty of murder and possession of a bladed article.

And yesterday (Monday), he attended the same court where he was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 18 years.

Following Willis’ sentencing, Senior Investigating Officer in the case Detective Chief Inspector Katie Smith, of Northumbria Police, said: “Our thoughts firmly remain with Andrew’s loved ones as they continue to process their loss.

“In this case, a trivial dispute had fatal consequences – something which should never have happened.

“There is no excuse for carrying a weapon. As demonstrated here, it can have catastrophic consequences that shatter whole families.

Det Ch Inp Smith added: “Following the conclusion of the court proceedings, no sentence imposed will ease the pain and suffering Andrew’s family are going through.

“I hope that in time they can try to adjust to life without their beloved partner, son, father, brother and friend.”Alder WillisAlder Willis (Image: Northumbria Police)

Following Willis’ sentencing, in statements read to the court, Andrew’s family have shared the following tributes to him: Andrew’s fiancé, Stephanie, said: “As a person, Andrew loved nothing more than to make people laugh. He was a sociable man who found it easy to talk to people.

“Above all, he was a very loving person who put his family first and who would do anything to help his friends. I miss everything about him including all the small things that made our lives together worthwhile.

“I especially miss our morning routine before he would leave for work. I miss our morning cuddle before he would get up to get our youngest son out of bed.

“I miss the cup of tea that he would lovingly prepare for me which he would place on the kitchen bench ready for me to drink.

“Most of all, I miss how we always laughed with each other. We loved him and he loved us even when we were annoying him.”

She added: “My life and that of our three children will never be the same. We are missing a huge piece of our puzzle. I'm crushed that I am the one left to enjoy all the milestones and special occasions, without the person who made me happy.

“I have been robbed of growing old with the person I love, reduced to living in this nightmare for the rest of my life.

“My world has crumbled and is broken beyond repair. I don't want to be in a world where Andrew isn't, but I have three children that need me. Andrew was my best friend, my person, my love.

“I was the fixer in his eyes, and this is something I can't change or fix.”

Andrew’s Mum and Dad, Deborah and Michael, have shared the following words.

Deborah said: “I miss him and his cuddles so much. I keep tormenting myself with the thought that he will walk through the door, and I will realise that this has just been some awful nightmare – but I know deep down it is never going to happen which is difficult to come to terms with.

“You see, my life, and that of my family, has never been the same since that fateful day when police officers came to my home to inform me that Andrew had died. Our lives have been obliterated by his death and the world has become a darker place.

“I keep thinking that if there was any way in the world that I could have died, and my son’s life be spared, so he could see his children grow up, I’d swap places with him in a heartbeat.

“After all, I have lived my life, and the joy I once felt has been taken from this world - and I don’t ever see it coming back.”

Michael added: “I didn’t just lose a son on that Wednesday when he was taken from us, I lost my best friend.

“When Andrew died a big part of me died with him that will never be filled.

“I am not a religious person but when people say there was a reason Andrew was taken so early, I say ‘yes, they need someone to fit garage doors’, that is what Andrew would say, that was his sense of humour.

“Andrew was a larger-than-life character who was always winding us up and making us laugh.

“When people ask how I am doing, I tell them that I am coping but every single day is a struggle. I miss my best friend so much.”

Andrew’s younger sister, Natalie, also shared these words: “When I arrived home, nothing could have prepared me for what happened next. As soon as I stepped one foot through the door, I was told the devastating news that Andrew had been taken away from us by the hand of someone else.

“At that very moment, my life came to a total stop as I dropped to the floor of the front doorway with a pain I have never felt before - a grief like no other. Since that time, my body has continued to go forward but my heart and everything else still remains at the front doorstep.

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“Since Andrew had been there since the day I was born, it was only fitting that I carried his casket at his funeral. I carried him with pride along with five other family members.

“Now I carry him every day, inside a heart locket, which I wear close to my heart – where he will always remain.

“To know I’m never going to get the chance to have both of my brothers by my side, is a pain on its own like no other. I no longer live my life - I just survive.”