THE heartbroken family of Lemy Bullock told yesterday how their lives were torn apart after his murder by a violent gang.

Mr Bullock left three children - Ryan, 15, Abigail, 11, and Luca, six. Ryan said his father's death was a shattering blow. He told the Argus: "I miss him terribly and it's been a hard struggle to cope with not having him here. You just can't believe you won't see him again."

Ryan is a talented young footballer who captains Newport schools. He said he has fond memories of his father, an ex-Newport County reserves player, coming to watch him play: "He used to come to every match and when I used to score a goal I could hear him shout from the stands, 'That's my boy'."

The 36-year-old father-of-three - a popular figure in the Pill area of Newport - was murdered almost a year ago at one of his local pubs. He was stabbed in the stomach with a samurai sword during an attack by three men wearing Scream horror film masks at Harvey's bar in Pill last March.

Yesterday, Mr Bullock's devastated family paid tribute to him and thanked the people of Pill who came forward to give evidence against his killers. They also thanked them for their "love and support" which helped them cope with his tragic death.

Mr Bullock's mother Gwenda, a well-known figure in Pill, who now lives in Ilfracombe, Devon, said: "Lemy was a good father who loved his children. He would do anything for them, no matter what."

She said coping with his death did not get any easier: "I'm just waiting for the phone to ring and find him laughing and joking on the other end. "I still can't get my head around the fact that he has gone.

"All we've got left now are his photographs and wonderful memories." She said: "I know he wasn't perfect but he was a good person and everybody who knew him loved and respected him.

"We do try to be strong for our grandchildren but it's not easy. "There are a lot of good people in Pill and the majority of them are friends and family.

"Without their love and support, I don't know how we would have been able to cope without them."

After a five-week trial at Cardiff crown court, Mohammed 'Mo' Nasser, 44, of Kirby Lane, and Martyn Bruce, 38, of Courtybella Gardens, also Pill, were convicted of Mr Bullock's murder.

Aaron Kent, 24, of Livale Court, Bettws, Newport, had previously pleaded guilty to his murder.

The gang is due to face life sentences next week. The prosecution told the court Mr Bullock was murdered because he refused to bow down to the intimidating and violent gang who had allegedly beat and robbed his cousin Nick 'Dyker' Griffiths.