During the sentencing hearing, victim personal statements prepared by the mothers and sisters of Max and Mason were read to the court.
Ray Tully KC, prosecuting, summarised the statement from Nikki Knight, the mother of Mason, describing how the attack on her son took place outside their home.
“She, as a mother, feels she failed to protect her son. That is a thought that will stay with her,” he said.
“Ultimately, she says when trying to find words to put her emotions and feelings down on paper, it is an impossible task.”
Leanne Ekland, Max Dixon’s mother, told the court she had rushed to the road where her son was stabbed and cradled him as he lay fatally injured on the pavement.
“He looked at me and said he wanted to sleep, he was so pale,” she said.
“The pain was unbearable. I knew then my life had been changed and my heart ripped out. I have never felt so much pain.”
