A moving and heartfelt statement from Paul Ackroyd’s family was read out in court today by prosecution barrister Peter Moulson QC.

Speaking for all family members, his father Brian said he and his wife Christine had lost their only son when he was just 37 years old.

Paul grew up in Queensbury, attaining six GCSEs and a Duke of Edinburgh Award.

A happy child, he was a keen cricketer who went on to enjoy golf, pool and snooker. He also loved going on family holidays to Scarborough.

“He had lots of friends and would help anybody with anything if they needed a hand,” Mr Ackroyd stated.

Paul worked in the building trade, including on the Broadway car park in Bradford, and also at a stone yard.

His two teenage daughters were his world and both were devastated by the loss of their father.

When the police broke the news of Paul’s death to the family, Mr Ackroyd said: “Our hearts just stopped.”

They were left devastated and in total shock.

Mr Ackroyd concluded: “Things will never be the same again. We have lost our son, the girls have lost their dad, and nothing will ever change that.”

The Recorder of Bradford, Judge Richard Mansell QC, praised the family for their “remarkable dignity” throughout the four week trial.

He offered them his sincerest condolences for the loss of Paul.

Brian and Christine Ackroyd had lived through every parent’s worst night-mare for two years, the second anniversary of Paul’s death having passed on Tuesday this week as the trial drew to a close.

Although the scars would never heal, Judge Mansell hoped the conclusion of the case had brought the family some comfort.