The mum of a man who was stabbed to death in his own home has spoken out after two teenagers were found guilty of his murder.
Leigh Smith, 48, was knifed seven times, before neighbours found him having bled to death in his flat in Eccles.
Drug dealer Jacob Cookson, 18, and a 17-year-old boy - who cannot be named for legal reasons - were unanimously convicted of murder.
Another 17-year-old boy was found not guilty.
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After the hearing yesterday (Thursday), Mr Smith's mum Jackie said that his family felt they had now got justice for him.
She said: "Although it will not bring Leigh back and he is greatly missed, we as a family are pleased that we have now got justice for Leigh."
The court was told how Mr Smith, who had battled drug addiction, was a vulnerable victim of 'cuckooing'.
This is where criminals take over a person's home for activities such as storing and dealing drugs.
Mr Smith's flat was one of a number which Cookson had taken control of to use for his dealing.
The court was told how things seemed to be 'looking up' for Mr Smith after he had moved into his new accomodation, but he had started to use drugs again.
He also appeared to be selling drugs on behalf of two dealers, to fund his habit.
Almost a week before he was found dead, Mr Smith was in his flat with a friend, who was smoking crack cocaine, which Cookson had sold him, the court heard.
Cookson had an argument with the man and was 'violently assaulted' by him, leaving him needing hospital treatment after being hit over the head with a radio.
He went to Salford Royal hospital covered in blood.
On the same day, Mr Smith was also attacked.
He told a housing officer about the attack, who alerted the police.
But when officers went to check on him, Mr Smith said them 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'.
While the officers were at his house, he received a call.
"It’s him. He knows you’re here," Mr Smith said.
He asked police to leave, and he refused to help when they came back the day after.
CCTV footage recovered on June 21 showed the defendants, and another man who has not been identified, heading towards Mr Smith's flat on Cook Street.
About two minutes later, the same group was seen running away from the flats.
The next morning, at about 7am, a neighbour saw the door to Mr Smith's flat was ajar and he was found lying in a pool of blood on his living room floor, after being stabbed seven times.
Cookson, of Langworthy Road, and the 17-year-old boy had denied murder.
They now face life sentences and will be sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court on Friday, January 28.
Detective Chief Inspector Ben Cottam, of GMPs Major Investigation Team, said: "This was a shocking and disturbing murder of a vulnerable man by two teenagers who have shown little remorse for their actions.
"Our thoughts are very much with Leigh's loved ones today and I hope this guilty verdict brings some comfort to them.
"Cuckooing is a horrendous practice, which we are determined to crack down on in Greater Manchester.
"As always, we need the assistance of the public to keep making sure we are aware of anyone who may be a victim, so that we can give them help and support and bring those who commit these acts to justice.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to say if you think a family member, friend or neighbour may be a victim of cuckooing, then please get in touch with police so we can help them."
