'Our family feels empty and broken without Matthew'

SISTER OF MURDERED 44-YEAR-OLD 'PLUNGED INTO LIVING NIGHTMARE'

- By MARK NAYLOR

THE heartbroken older sister of murder victim Matthew Phillips has revealed the pain and anguish suffered by her family after his “horrific” and “horrendous” death.

She spoke before Timothy Tinson was jailed for life for murdering her 44-year-old brother on January 4.

Tinson was originally due to face a trial accused of murdering Mr Phillips but he changed his plea to guilty on the day that a jury was due to begin hearing the case at Hull Crown Court. Tinson, 43, of Lairgate, Beverley, entered a not guilty plea to the charge during a mention hearing as recently as last week.

Katherine Phillips told Tinson in a statement that she read to the court: “I ask you to open your heart and receive the impact of your actions on the people who loved Matthew. On January 4, you chose to take my brother's life in a distressing, senseless and incomprehensible way.

“You have not only taken Matthew’s life but you have also taken a part of my life which can never be restored. It is not just myself who is impacted but I stand here on behalf of all the people who loved Matthew.

“Matthew, a son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, uncle, friend - and should be alive right now. Matthew is loved. His life mattered. My family’s world collapsed and our lives changed forever, at the hands of the defendant.

“As a family, we have been in a living nightmare since January 4. It has been the most painfully difficult time in my life and that of my family.