Simon Johnson: Netherton widow's moving tribute to murdered husband

The 41-year-old was knifed to death by Damilola Johnson, no relation, during a bungled burglary.

The 19-year-old and a youth, aged 15 at the time but now 17, were stealing plants from a cannabis farm at the house in Cradley Road, Netherton, where the victim lived alone, on August 11 last year.

Mother of two Roz Johnson, who separated from him in August 2015, said: “Those involved in Simon’s death did not just take his life, they took the people that our daughters and I used to be too. The last 16 months without Si can not be described in a few words but the world is an emptier, lonelier and scarier place for us now.”

Damilola Johnson was convicted of the murder by the Wolverhampton Crown Court jury while the youth, who cannot be named, was acquitted of murder but found guilty of manslaughter. They have both been remanded in custody until the New Year when they will be sentenced.

Mrs Johnson continued: “The unimaginable and horrifying act of murder has become a harrowing reality for us and the impact of his death has reached, and continues to reach, far and wide. Our daughters, aged 18 and 11, have had their dad taken from them in a sudden, unexpected, brutal and violent way without a chance for a goodbye – and that is something they, and I, will never recover from. Telling our daughters what had happened to their dad was the most difficult thing I have ever had to do and there have been countless difficult times since.

“We have been forced to deal with situations, experiences and emotions we didn’t think possible and although we know Simon would be so proud of us for the dignity, strength and courage we have shown, it’s no real comfort as he should be here, living his life with us.” She explained: “Simon and I had separated but we were still in the middle of raising our girls together when he died and we had so many plans for the future as a family.

“When we first became a couple over 20 years ago I didn’t know the path our lives would take and if I’d known, I’d have made more memories and taken more photos because now, that’s all we have left.” Mrs Johnson concluded: “Simon was a very proud father of two girls and he will be loved, missed and remembered always.”