THE mother of murdered Anthony Burke says seeing his killer jailed does not make up for the loss of her son.
Oliver Taylor, 19, has been given a life sentence for stabbing his neighbour Anthony near their homes on Clos y Berllan, Rhuddlan, last December 23.
Mr Burke's death has parents, Tony and Cindy, and the rest of his family and friends along with the Rhuddlan community who heard at Mold Crown Court that Taylor must serve a minimum of 17 years in prison.
Mrs Burke said after the hearing that the sentence did not compensate for the loss of her beloved son.
She said: "I just feel empty. It is good that Olly Taylor has been found guilty and jailed but this is not justice as it will not bring Anthony back. We feel great emptiness without him.
"It feels as though Anthony has been on trial for two weeks. Olly Taylor has said things in court about Anthony that have been very hurtful to listen to that were lies.”
Mr Burke's death has triggered a determination within the Rhuddlan and wider community to celebrate his memory.
Hundreds wore bright colours when attending his funeral at Mary’s Church the month after he died, with more than 3,000 joining a group remembering him on the social networking site Facebook.
Many of his friends again demonstrated their lasting love for Mr Burke, 20, by attending a knife crime amnesty walk last month from Rhyl to Rhuddlan.
Mrs Burke, who was involved in organising the event, added: "The Government need to get together to stop other people being victims like Anthony has been.
"I would like to thank everyone for their support for us. The knife walk went well but we need to get through to more than just people who knew Anthony about the importance of what we are concerned about."
In a difficult week, Mrs Burke also took time to reflect on happeir times and pay tribute to Anthony, revealing the extent of his popularity.
She added: “He was such a fun-loving lad, there was always some music and laughter with him around.
"The house was always full, the door always open, and his many mates - boys and girls - were always coming and going.
"I never knew until it was too late what an impact he made on so many people's lives, young and old alike. So many people have told me how empty their lives are without him in it."