After a year of grieving there was finally a little comfort and a lot of relief for the family of Gary Morgan yesterday.

Moments after the 30-year-sentence was passed, Mr Morgan's father Sid said the verdict was a "huge relief" and the family was "over the moon".

Outside Oxford Crown Court, Mr Morgan, his wife Dot and son Lee comforted one another as they stood alongside DCI Karen Trego, the officer in charge of the case, who said on their behalf: "It has been over a year since Gary Morgan was murdered. I am pleased that justice has been done and my thoughts are with Gary's family.

"Gary was an innocent man who had not done anything to provoke this attack. My investigation team were faced with piecing together who could have committed such a horrendous crime.

"Allan Kimber committed a premeditated and cold blooded murder. He bought a series of guns and reactivated them so they would fire. He made his own bullets and lay in wait in the pitch black dark in a country lane to kill an innocent man.

"Gary's family stand here with me and add their thanks to all the officers and police staff who contributed to this investigation for their hard work and commitment."

DCI Trego said she was delighted with the unanimous verdict, adding: "It shows there was no doubt in the minds of the jury."

Of the investigation, she said: "It was very difficult to start off with because Gary Morgan was a man who had no enemies and lived a normal life. We had to work our way through who would have a motive to want to hurt him. Allan Kimber was arrested within a week."

THE WIFE - 'Justice has been done'

Sitting through the trial the past few weeks has been very distressing for us all.

Gary was my sunshine; he tried to find fun in everything. He had a positive effect on most people he came into contact with throughout his short life. His memory will stay with us all for the rest of our lives.

Now that the trial is over we feel there is closure to a difficult period that has brought distress and anger amplified by allegations made regarding my own character and the suggestion that I was some way involved, all of which were thoroughly investigated and dismissed by police during the early stage of the investigation.

Although Gary can never be brought back, justice is the only consolation for us and Gary's family.

For myself, I can now begin to try and rebuild my life and move on with future plans, taking a leaf out of Gary's book and try to make the most out of what life has to offer.

Support and comfort has come not just from family and friends, but from family liaison officers and the witness service to whom we owe so much.

Justice has been done.