"While I cannot begin to comprehend the pain that Graham, Julie and Anna continue to feel, the huge impact that losing Howard has had on my life serves only to illustrate what an incredible person he was.

"His presence and warmth uplifted people. Sadly, that feeling is now missing and with each passing day life becomes more and more flat.

"Always caring and thoughtful, Howard was like a brother. The thought of not being able to share all the experiences that we had planned for the future will forever be agonising.

"Today (Monday) was not about justice, because no sentence, no matter how large or small, can ever bring my friend back."