RICHARD'S mother described how his death and the family's fight for justice had taken its toll.

Sharon Burnell said her daughters Rebecca, 25, and Holly, 18, had lost their jobs through grief and strain.

Rebecca was still recovering from the death of her boyfriend Lee Antcliff, Richard's best friend and neighbour, in a car crash four months previously, when her brother died.

She then needed time off work when she was involved in a car crash and injured her arm.

Her younger sister Holly, 18, took time off work to receive counselling and is still being treated for depression and anxiety.

Sharon said: "They have been through very difficult times but they are both working again.

"We can now try and move on and Richard is no longer in limbo now justice has been done."

She described her beloved son as full of life and ready to help anyone.

The courteous youngster not only displayed model behaviour but also looks and was a sometime model.

His aunt Angela Burnell said her last meeting with Richard typified his behaviour.

She said: "It was Christmas time and I needed a carpet fitting. I came home one night at about 8pm to find Richard there fitting it for me.

"He was just a very decent, helpful lad."

The family hopes to stage another fund-raising event for charity in memory of Richard after raising £2,368 for the Air Ambulance at a karaoke night last June.