The mother of a vulnerable drug addict who was stabbed to death in his own home in a brutal revenge attack hit out at two teenage drug dealers locked up for his murder.
Leigh Smith, 48, was stabbed to death in his own home in Eccles.
Jacob Cookson, 18, and Logan Eaton, 17, were both found guilty of murder and will serve at least 19 and 17 years respectively.
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Eaton can be identified for the first time, after a judge lifted reporting restrictions previously imposed because of his age.
Mr Smith, known as Leroy to friends, was stabbed seven times and found dead hours later by neighbours.
He was a victim of cuckooing, where criminals take over vulnerable people's homes for drug dealing.
Drug dealer Cookson, who earned £7,000 a week from his involvement in an organised drugs gang he jointly ran, was out for revenge.
He had previously been hospitalised after being attacked by another man in Mr Smith's flat.
Cookson believed Mr Smith had set up the attack.
Cookson and Eaton went into his flat on June 21, when Mr Smith was stabbed seven times to his legs and buttocks.
He was found dead by a neighbour the following morning.
"The sad thing is that he was turning a corner before he encountered these defendants," Judge Alan Conrad QC said.
'My life will never be the same', grieving mum tells killers
Minshull Street Crown Court heard Mr Smith was 'proud' of the home he had been able to set up at Cook Street, with the help of a housing officer.
"It is no secret that my son had made many mistakes but he was my son," Mr Smith's mother Jackie Roycroft said in a statement.
"I miss him so much.
"How do you explain the feelings you have inside when someone you love is murdered.
"To the people responsible for this, why? Why?
"How could you?
"What twisted sense of right and wrong to let yourself into someone's home and stab him?
"What gives you the right?
"How could you leave him there bleeding to death? For what?
"I was hoping the end of this trial would bring me some closure but I know deep down these feelings will never go away.
"My life will never be the same."
About five days before the killing, Mr Smith had been in his flat with a friend who was smoking crack cocaine, which Cookson had sold him.
Cookson had an argument with the man, and he was 'violently assaulted'.
He went to hospital covered in blood, after being hit over the head with a radio.
Mr Smith was also attacked on the same day, and a housing worker called police to raise concerns about his safety.
He refused to cooperate with officers, and told them that their visit was 'gonna get me killed'.
He didn't name his attackers but said that 'Salford gangsters who he had been in trouble with had access to firearms'.
Defending Cookson, of Langworthy Road, Salford, John Jones QC said the defendant had not intended to kill Mr Smith.
For Eaton, Jonathan Sandiford QC said his involvement was 'spontaneous' and was out of 'misplaced loyalty' to others.
Both had no previous convictions.
But they admitted being part of a drugs gang, with Cookson said to be higher in the chain than Eaton.
"Neither of you has shown the slightest remorse," Judge Alan Conrad QC said.
Speaking of the killing, the judge added: "I am satisfied that you went there to teach him a lesson, intending to cause him really serious harm.
"Your thoughts were only for yourselves as you fled the scene, and simply carried on your drugs supply."
After today's sentencing hearing, Alan Pope, senior crown prosecutor with CPS North West said: "Jacob Cookson and his accomplice took advantage of Leigh Smith’s vulnerabilities by using him and his home for drug supply, then they carried out the brutal attack that lead to his death.
"Neither accepted their guilt and Leigh’s family have waited patiently for justice.
"Nothing can bring Leigh back, but I hope Leigh’s family can find some solace in the fact that the offenders have been brought to justice for what they did to Leigh.
"Our thoughts remain with his family at this time."
