A YOUNG father on a rare night out in Oxford was stabbed to death just hours after telling his girlfriend and son how much he loved them.

Blayne Ridgeway was injured near the Que Pasa bar at the junction of Castle Street and Queen Street at 3am on Saturday.

Last night, the 22-year-old former Peers School pupil was described as a doting father, as a 16-year-old from East Oxford was charged with murder.

Mr Ridgeway’s girlfriend Chrissie Atkins said the couple were going to paint their new flat in East Oxford on Saturday and were looking forward to spending the rest of their lives with their two-year-old son Reko.

Miss Atkins, originally from Wallingford, said: “Blayne went out at 8pm and at 8.10pm he sent me a text telling me he loved me.

“We were just so good together. We had our whole lives ahead of us and now it’s just gone.

“We had a kid together and he was so good with him. He was such a nice person.

“My son is just two. In a couple of years I’m going to have to tell him his daddy was killed.”

Mr Ridgeway, who grew up in the Donnington Bridge area, was stabbed in the heart and died shortly afterwards at the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Headington.

A 24-year-old witness said: “We saw this commotion and saw police pushing people back and two medics trying to save him.”

Bunches of flowers have been left at the scene of the stabbing, including tributes from Blayne’s family.

One signed by ‘Lil Sis’ and ‘Mum’ said: “RIP Big Brother. I love you so much.You are always in my heart and memories and you will never been forgotten. You were loved by many.”

Another, signed by ‘Gramps’, said: “To my grandson Blayne. RIP. Lots of love.”

A friend had written: “We spent our childhood together and now you’re gone. If only we knew we would have cherished those times more. You’re sleeping with the angels now.”

Miss Atkins said it was rare for Blayne to go out in the city centre.

She said: “It was the first time in ages he had been in town.

“He wouldn’t row with someone about nothing. He was very laid back, a shy person who didn’t like to get involved in other people’s business.

“He was just a nice person, everyone could get along with him. He was shy but once you got to know him, you really got to know him. He didn’t deserve this.”

Just two days before his death, Blayne had celebrated his mother’s birthday by hosting a barbecue for his family and girlfriend.

Miss Atkins said: “He lived with his mum and sister and they were very close. His mum loved him so much. He was their life, and mine.”

The youth charged cannot be named because of his age.