Knife killer gets 27 years

A knifeman who murdered a wedding guest in a "violent rampage" was today starting a jail sentence of at least 27 years.

A poignant photograph was today released of tragic father-of-two Tom Berry at the reception moments before he was stabbed to death.

Bodybuilder Ricky Shaw hung his head as a judge jailed him for life stating he had killed Mr Berry for "no reason at all".

Mr Berry had left a wedding reception at Bilston Town Hall for a cigarette just before the violence.

His family have now released this photograph taken at the reception shortly before the murder, which shows a smiling Mr Berry along with Stephen Howell, who was stabbed seven times, and witnesses Craig and Jason Howell.

Shaw and others had gathered outside the Spread Eagle on July 10 and turned on the wedding party.

The 23-year-old, of no fixed address, stabbed Mr Berry twice. He died at New Cross Hospital the next day.

There were shouts of "Yes" in the public gallery at Wolverhampton Crown Court as Shaw was found guilty of murdering Mr Berry, the attempted murder of Stephen Howell, wounding Talvinder Singh and assaulting half brother Adam Shaw. He will be 49 before he is eligible for parole.

Judge John Warner told Shaw, who has a record of drug dealing and violence: "You went on a violent rampage, fuelled by some urge that led you to stab one man to death and seriously injure two others, and even stab your own brother."

Mr Berry leaves partner Avril Maxwell and sons Owen, four, and Elliot, one. Ms Maxwell said: "No amount of years will ever be enough, but justice has been served. We will never understand why this had to happen to such a wonderful much-loved family man.

"Every day is a nightmare and we deal with each day as it comes for the sake of his boys."