WATCH: Mother of murdered Northampton student issues heartbreaking tribute – stating the loss of her son ‘lives with her everyday’

The mother of university student Kwabena Osei-Poku, previously known as Alfred, has released a moving tribute to her son following his killer being sentenced to a minimum of 21 years in prison.

On the night of April 23 last year, Joyce Osei-Poku was delivered the worst news a mother can hear – that her beloved son Kwabena had been murdered.

The incident took place at around 8.40pm in New South Bridge Road, when Kwabena, originally from Peterborough, was stabbed following an incident which started on the University of Northampton Waterside campus.

Last November – following a six-week trial at Northampton Crown Court – a jury found Melvin Lebaga-Idubor, aged 20, of Abbey Road, Barking and Dagenham, guilty of both murder and possession of an article with a blade or point.

Yesterday (February 7) Lebaga-Idubor returned to the same court, where he was handed a life sentence of a minimum of 21 years in prison for Mr Osei-Poku’s murder.

Antonio Huian, aged 18, of Royal Terrace, Northampton, was also sentenced to 14 months in prison, suspended for 21 months, after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice.

Kwabena’s mother Joyce wrote a tribute to her son, in the hope that his death will encourage young people to say “no to a knife and yes to life”.

“The pain I feel as a result of Alfred’s murder is so great I cannot put it into words,” said Joyce. “It lives with me every day. He is the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last thing on my mind before I go to sleep.

“Sometimes I find it so difficult that I have to lock myself away from my younger children and just cry and cry. I don’t want them to see me upset, but it is so hard to carry on as normal.”

Joyce remembers the “great things” about Kwabena and described “his kindness”, the fact she could always depend on him, the great relationship they shared and that he always wanted to help people younger than him – which he did through his voluntary work with High Heritage.

She continued: “These thoughts make me smile but they also break my heart because they remind me of just how much potential he had and how we will never be able to create any new memories together.

“I want people to understand how much devastation a knife can cause a family. And I mean really, truly understand.

“Look at a knife and take the time to realise that in one movement you can destroy lives infinitely and forever.

“If you have a conflict with someone, please do not react in anger and use a knife. Do not use a knife to lash out. Do not think that carrying one will not have fatal consequences.

“Instead, please say no to a knife and yes to life. I wish I could go back in time and save my son.”