THE FAMILY of John Finney, the 42-year-old traveller who was brutally murdered and his headless and handless body left behind a garage block in Ickleford, have paid tribute to him. They said in a statement: The past year has been so very hard for us as a

THE FAMILY of John Finney, the 42-year-old traveller who was brutally murdered and his headless and handless body left behind a garage block in Ickleford, have paid tribute to him.

They said in a statement: "The past year has been so very hard for us as a family. We have had to try to understand why a loving son and father was taken from us in such a brutal way; we have had to come to terms with this immense loss in our lives."

Praising the police team which investigated the slaying in March last year of Mr Finney who was tortured and killed in an industrial unit off Wilbury Way, Hitchin, they said: "They had to deal with a carefully planned and executed crime. Their commitment from the outset to bringing John's killers to justice gave us comfort and confidence.

"It brings us some measure of solace that our trust in the police was well placed and has resulted in the convictions of those responsible for John's murder. Of course, nothing can replace John, and he will continue to remain so very much in our thoughts and prayers."

Father and son Norman and Joseph Jones, of Princess Park Manor, Frien Barnet and Harlech Road, Palmers Green respectively, were convicted of the murder yesterday (Monday) and are due to be sentenced at St Albans Crown Court today.