'My son is a pile of ash for no reason...My family is living an eternal nightmare'

FAMILY TELL OF GRIEF AS THEIR SON'S KILLER IS LOCKED UP FOR AT LEAST 20 YEARS

- By MARTIN NAYLOR & STEPHANIE WAREHAM

TEENAGE murder victim Noah Smedley was “the shining light whose loss has left an unfillable void in our lives,’ his family have said.

They said the Ilkeston teenager's “love, laughter, and joy, and memory will continue to inspire us” despite his life being so cruelly taken by a rap-loving, knife-obsessed, young Killer.

Their words came as Charlie Hartle was jailed for life and told it would be 20 years before he would be eligible to apply for parole. The 18-year-old, of Station Road, Stanley Village, showed little emotion as Judge Shaun Smith KC delivered his ruling at Derby Crown Court.

Noah's mother, Lucy Warner, said: “My son is a pile of ash for no reason. My family is living an eternal nightmare”

In their joint family statement, his grandmother Wendy Smedley, father Matthew Smedley, great-grandfather David Mallard, and uncles Jason and Tom Mallard, said: “Noah was a beloved member of our family and community, and his loss has left an unfillable void in our lives. He was a shining light, full of love, laughter, and joy, and his memory will continue to inspire us. We are heartbroken that he is no longer with us, but we take comfort in knowing that his memory will live on in our hearts.

“While no verdict can bring back our beloved Noah, we hope that this outcome will bring some measure of closure and allow us to begin the healing process. We will continue to cherish the memories of Noah's life and celebrate his legacy.

“Noah, we love you more than words can ever say or express, you may be gone but you will never be forgotten. We will carry you in our hearts forever, and we will always remember the happy times we shared with you. Shine bright our darling boy”