'I want our Paul to haunt him for the rest of his life'

Mary Best's son, Paul, bled to death after David Mitchell, 19, plunged a kitchen knife into his back on February 13 last year.

Mr Best had been celebrating his birthday at home in North Crescent, Easington, County Durham, when Mitchell turned up and stabbed him with the 5in blade. He bled to death on his living room floor.

Mitchell was yesterday found guilty of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility after jurors at Newcastle Crown Court accepted his mild retardation reduced his responsibility.

Speaking after the verdict, Mrs Best, 44, said: "I hope he sees our Paul every night in his cell with him. I want our Paul to haunt him for the rest of his life."

Mrs Best said it was only the fact she had three other children, Jaymee, eight, Jack, six and Stephen, 20, that kept her going.

She said: "I will never get over Paul's death and could not even sit through the trial.

"I came for the verdict, but could not go inside the court because the whole thing has made me ill."

Mitchell was initially tried last year but the jury failed to reach a verdict. His re-trial started last week.

Jurors cleared him of murder after hearing the evidence of seven psychiatrists who assessed his mental state.

Mr Best's aunt, Sandra McDonald, 42, said the family was devasted by the loss of Paul, who worked with his father, Don, 61, at his building firm.

Mrs McDonald said: "It should be a life for a life and it is as simple as that. We wanted a murder conviction because then it would feel like he is being punished."

Mitchell, also of North Crescent, will be sentenced later this month.

Mrs Best said: "The pain will never ease. I go to Paul's grave every day because it is the only way I can get some comfort."