Justice - but Alan won't come back (From Penarth Times)

Justice - but Alan won't come back

A GRIEF-STRICKEN Dinas Powys mother has seen her son's murderer locked up for life.

Faith Huxter, 50, of Castle Drive, Dinas Powys, is still mourning her son Alan Shapcott, 26, who was stabbed to death on June 29 by Peter Gibson, 31.

Mrs Huxter attended the two-week trial, which finished last Friday, enduring graphic CCTV coverage of her son's murder at the Huggard Centre, a hostel for the homeless in Cardiff.

Gibson was captured on CCTV attacking former Murch Junior and St Cyres pupil Alan as he played pool.

Prosecutor Peter Griffiths QC told how Gibson stabbed Alan six times in the neck and body with a kitchen knife, piercing the left lung. The court heard the attack was a "joint enterprise" between Gibson and another resident, Sebastian Curtis, 22.

Mr Griffiths said: "Mr Shapcott was playing pool, minding his own business. Something occurred between Curtis and Mr Shapcott that started this whole incident.

"He punched Mr Shapcott and a project worker had to intervene to restrain Curtis. Mr Shapcott was backing away when he was stabbed a number of times by Gibson.

"He collapsed on the floor, bleeding profusely. He was defenceless and Curtis came up to him and kicked him."

Mr Shapcott, described as a "popular resident", was pronounced dead at the University Hospital of Wales less than an hour later.

Gibson admitted murder and was jailed for life by Recorder of Cardiff John Griffiths Williams QC. Curtis was found guilty of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent and was jailed for 30 months.

The judge said Mr Shapcott had been the victim of "senseless violence." Mrs Huxter, who has three other children aged 14-24, said: "The only one who has got 'life' is my son Alan and his family.

"We're going to carry this for the rest of our days. But Sebastian Curtis and Peter Gibson can come out of prison and go back to their families. Alan hasn't got that."

Mrs Huxter thanked Bethesda Chapel for support.