THE family of a murdered young Buckley man has urged the public to get behind an anti-knife crime campaign.
Earlier this year, the Leader reported on the jailing of 25-year-old Jamie Mitchell, of Lexham Green Close in Buckley.
He was found guilty by a jury who had heard how he chased 23-year-old victim Steven Wilkinson into an alleyway at Jubilee Court, where he stabbed him.
The Judge in the case handed down a life sentence, ordering Mitchell to serve a minimum term of 22 years behind bars before he can be considered to apply for parole.
Steven Wilkinson's family is now campaigning to see a knife crime minister and a dedicated government department created.
The Wilko's Debate petition calling for the change currently has more than 1,400 signatures and can be seen and signed here.
Lisa Wilkinson, Steven's mum, told the Leader: "We don't want to see any other families go through what we have.
"I didn't realise how bad knife crime was until this happened to my son.
"I'm now out on the streets every day, stopping and speaking to anyone who will listen to me.
"But to be honest, the number of people who have turned me away has been unreal.
"They don't want to get involved; I feel because it hasn't impacted their lives.
"You think nothing like this can happen to you - but unfortunately it can."
READ MORE: Heartbroken mother and nan tell court about impact of Steven Wilkinson's murder
Janette Wilkinson, Steven's nan, said: "We've spoken to people who have already been affected by knives and we were shocked because I think it's just become a normal everyday thing now.
"This is still going on and it's getting worse."
Eddie Duggan, who has been working with Steven's family on the Wilko's Debate campaign, said he felt it had been difficult to engage with some people because knife crime has become so prevalent that many have become 'de-sensitised' to it.
Speaking of the ongoing impact of Steven's death and the subsequent investigation and court process, 43-year-old Lisa continued: "It has been absolutely devastating.
"It has been such a big loss and I will never get over it.
"People say it'll get easier over time, but I think it's going to get harder.
"I think I'm still in a bit of shock; I'm still waiting for him to come home.
"Then there's the heartache again when I realise he's not.
"Court was heart-wrenching and it haunts me even now.
READ MORE: Steven Wilkinson's family urges public to get behind knife crime debate petition
"I went to where it happened yesterday and laid some flowers, and as I am looking round I know the whole story."
Lisa said she felt no sense of closure or justice when Mitchell was convicted and ultimately sentenced.
"No sentence will ever be enough for what he's taken from me and my family," she said.
Janette, 62, added: "He (Mitchell) didn't just take Steven, he destroyed every one of our lives."
Paying tribute to her son, Lisa continued: "He was amazing, unique.
"You'd never come across another person like him with his sense of humour and dryness.
"He was Liverpool football mad, and his other hobby was his clothes - he loved his caps and trainers."
Janette said: "He'd have people in stitches. He didn't realise how funny he was.
READ MORE: Murderer handed life sentence for cowardly knife attack on Buckley 23-year-old
"Nobody had a bad word to say about him."
Lisa explained her son had just started to "come out of his shell" and becoming independent in the year leading up to his murder.
"It was like he was changing from being a boy to a man," she said.
"It kills me that he'll never love; he never had a proper girlfriend.
"He will never get married, or have children."
She told the Leader the campaign to create a knife crime department and government minister has given her "focus."
Lisa said: "I still have my good days and bad days, but this campaign has given me a target.
"It is getting me out of bed in the morning.
"But to be honest, I am a bit disappointed with the numbers on the petition this far in - I thought it'd be better.
"We need to get people on board, we need these signatures and we need to get it to parliament.
"This is not just for my son, it's going to be for your sons and daughters, your grandchildren; it's for the next generation.
"It literally takes one to two minutes of your day and your signature's going to make a difference."
You can read and sign the petition here.
Mr Duggan added he is hoping the campaign will bring about a way of bringing together organisations and projects working to tackle knife crime across the UK.
He said: "We've had a bit of a negative or no response from other organisations because they're doing their own thing.
"We need a minister who can pool all of these resources together and work towards an aim on a national level."
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