A MUM spoke of her family's heartbreak at the conclusion of a murder trial which saw a Shotton man jailed for killing his estranged wife.
Russell Marsh appeared in the dock at Mold Crown Court on Tuesday to receive his sentence.
Last week he was unanimously convicted of murdering Jade Ward, the incident having happened in August last year at the victim's Shotton home.
Having heard the verdict - a life sentence with a minimum of 25 years to be served - the public gallery, full of Jade's friends and family, applauded.
Speaking outside the court following the hearing, her mum Karen Robinson paid an emotional tribute to Jade.
She said: "On August 26 last year, our world was torn apart.
"There are no words that could ever say how broken we all are.
"Jade was an amazing daughter, sister, granddaughter, sister-in-law, niece, cousin, auntie and a friend to so many.
"Above everything else, she was the most amazing mum to her boys - she loved them with everything she had.
"Jade was beautiful, caring, funny, loving. Her smile could light up the world.
READ MORE: Russell Marsh sentencing as it happened
"We see so much of Jade in her boys on a daily basis.
"Losing her has left a huge hole in all of our hearts that can never be filled.
"Jade will live on in our thoughts memories and all of our broken hearts.
"We would like to thank everyone for all the love, support and strength shown to our family and to Jade's many friends. The community has been amazing.
"They loved Jade - everyone who met her fell in love with her.
"She's certainly left her mark. We say a heartfelt thank you to the police and everyone who worked on Jade's case."
Prior to Judge Rhys Rowlands handing down the prison term, the court also heard from Kyle Robinson, Jade's brother.
In a statement read out to the court, he said on behalf of his family: "While I can no longer physically protect her, I can protect her name.
"She will always be my wonderful, precious little sister.
"Jade saw the world through eyes we could only dream of. She always saw the good in people.
"We long to hear her voice, to have her walk through the door.
"Anything, any sign that will make this nothing more than an awful nightmare."
Mr Robinson said the defendant had taken away Ms Ward's chance to see her children grow up and had shown no remorse for the crime.
"A mum shouldn't die before having raised her children," he said, in a statement read to the court by James Coutts, for the prosecution. "He believed he had the right to take her away. "Jade was everything to everyone."
READ MORE: Russell Marsh convicted of murder
The family also issued a tribute via North Wales Police, which read: “Jade was the sunshine in our lives, she was the glue that held us all together.
“Jade’s whole life was ahead of her and her death has left a void in all our lives.
“The family are very thankful to all of Jade’s friends and colleagues for their support, and to North Wales Police for the investigation that has led to today’s conviction.
"We ask that our privacy is respected and that as a family we can quietly grieve and continue to come to terms with this heartbreaking loss."
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