THE family of a murdered Wrexham teenager have issued their thanks after the man responsible for his death was sentenced.
Mark Harley Jones, of Chester Road in Wrexham, was sentenced on Friday after he was unanimously convicted of the murder of 19-year-old Kyle Walley.
Jones, 20, had caused a fatal injury when he stabbed Mr Walley in the chest after the two had met at the victim's flat to drink and watch the final of Euro 2020.
At his sentencing hearing in Mold on Friday, Jones was handed a life sentence with a minimum term before he can be considered for parole of more than 16 years.
Following the sentencing, a spokesman for Kyle Walley's family said: “Kyle was a much-loved son, grandson and brother who was happy-go-lucky as a child and got on with everyone.
“Before he was murdered, Kyle was waiting to start an apprenticeship as an electrician, which was suddenly taken away from him by Mark Harley Jones when he murdered him.
“Kyle can never be replaced and will always be missed by his close family and friends. He will always remain in our thoughts and in our hearts.
“We would like to thank North Wales Police and the Crown Prosecution Service for the support they have shown us during this awful time.
“Finally, we would like to thank our friends, family and the public who have shown us goodwill throughout.
“We hope today’s sentence will remind people of the dangers associated with knives.”
Detective Chief Inspector Chris Bell, the Senior Investigating Officer, said: "For Kyle's young life to be cut so cruelly short in such tragic and unnecessary circumstances is beyond comprehension.
"Kyle was much loved by his family and friends and I recognise that no words or verdict will ever bring back this young man, but I hope today's outcome will bring a small sense of peace to Kyle’s family.
“They have shown immense strength and courage throughout, and I thank them for the way in which they have found the strength to assist my investigation team.
"On Sunday, July 11, 2021, Kyle was looking forward to watching the final of Euro 2020 with somebody he thought was a friend. Kyle was described by many as being in good spirits. But the senseless and vicious actions of Mark Jones denied him that opportunity.
“For reasons only truly known to Mark Jones, he made the decision to pick up a knife and record himself on his phone, cowardly attacking an innocent young man with a knife, soon after uploading it on to Snapchat.
"The aftereffects of viewing this graphic video will be long-lasting for those who were unfortunate to unwittingly view it.
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"The actions of Mark Jones were alarming, and even more heart-breaking when it is young adults who are involved.
“North Wales Police will not tolerate the use of weapons to inflict injury to others. I urge you to think long and hard about carrying weapons in the future as the consequences of doing so often result in two families being destroyed.
"I would urge anyone who knows of a friend or someone in their community who carries a knife to please contact independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously and report it."
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