The family of a Carlisle man say that “there isn’t a day that goes by” when they don’t think of him after he was brutally murdered by six people.
Following a seven-week trial at Carlisle Crown Court that concluded earlier this month, the six people accused of the involvement in the death of Lee McKnight on July 24 2020, the jury found the following defendants guilty:
- Jamie Davison, 25, of Beverly Rise, Carlisle
- Carol Edgar, 46, of Charles Street, Carlisle
- Coral Edgar, 25, of Charles Street, Carlisle
- Paul Roberts, 51, of Grey Street, Carlisle
- Arron Mark Graham, 25, of Blackwell Road, Carlisle
- Jamie Lee Roberts, 18, of Grey Street, Carlisle
They were sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court today.
A statement issued on behalf of Mr McKnight’s family said: “Where can we start, this had been one the hardest things that our family has had to cope with.
“This has pushed our family to the limit, but we know we are a strong family and we can get through this horrendous tragedy.
“There isn’t a day goes by when we don’t think of Lee. He was loved by so many and we were proud to call him our son.
“It was hard to believe that Lee will never walk through our front door again and there will always be a spare seat at our table – we will miss his smiling face and infectious laugh.
“Every family has lost a loved one through different causes, but this is a lot different and will miss Lee so much.
“No sentence will bring back our son but will give us peace that those responsible for playing a part in his death have been brought to justice.
“We would also like to thank everyone who has supported us since Lee died, family, friends and the police for all their hard work – the support has been amazing and we really appreciate it.”
Praise for the family
Detective Superintendent Dave Stalker, the senior investigating officer in the case said: “From a very early stage the family are supported by specialist officers, who are trained in being that conduit between the investigation and the family, ensuring they have all necessary support around them because a lot of information is needed from them in terms of the movement of Lee, his history, which might help direct our resourcing and the nature of the inquiry.
“That continues throughout the investigation to the trial. If I could say something about the family it is that they have had to live through this, understand what has happened to Lee and have done so with the utmost dignity in the face of what must be unbearable grief.”
DS Stalker added that he hoped the sentence would bring some closure and comfort to the family.
