Murder victim's family will 'never be the same again'

The family of a man stabbed to death in a revenge attack say life will "never be the same again" as his killer was found guilty of murder.

Charles Kelly was stabbed 15 times on the doorstep of his home in Marshall Road, Oldbury, on July 16.

His killer, Stephen Lal, was due to be sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court today.

His sister, Helen, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice.

Mr Kelly's wife, Marlene, said he was her "soul mate." They celebrated their 37th anniversary a day before his murder.

She said: "I try to keep strong for our six children and nine grandchildren but it is so hard especially when I can't sleep at night because every time I close my eyes I see Charlie slipping away in front of my eyes, knowing I can't do anything to save him.

"We all miss Charlie so much. This has had such a great impact on all our lives I don't think my family will ever be the same again."

Daughter Maria Nicholls said: "The pain will never go away and I think of my dad everyday and to know he was taken away by someone is the hardest thing ever. We were robbed of saying goodbye to him."

Lal was drinking all day, before knocking on Mr Kelly's door. When the 57-year-old answered, Lal attacked him before driving away.

Mr Hugh O'Brien-Quinn, prosecuting, said Lal, 51, of St Luke's Road, Wednesbury, was motivated by a fall-out with Mr Kelly that stemmed back to a pub attack in 1994.

Mr Kelly fell out with a pub landlord and asked Lal to "sort him out". Lal, and Mr Kelly were arrested after a subsequent axe attack. Lal served nine years for wounding but Mr Kelly served three years for conspiracy.

After Lal killed Mr Kelly, Helen Lal, 46, of Hillfield, Smethwick, tried to cover for him.