THE heartbroken girlfriend of a murdered lorry driver has backed a campaign calling for justice for her "perfect" partner.

Darren Kelly, 42, was in the process of moving in with mum-of-two Michelle Morley when he was brutally stabbed to death.

Miss Morley, 35, has spoken out as a petition calling for three teenagers who were involved in the fatal attack to be punished for their actions.

The two 17-year-old boys and a 16-year-old girl walked free from court last week after a jury acquitted them of killing Mr Kelly.

Chris Carroll, 20, will serve a minimum of 21 years in prison after being convicted of the murder following a six-week trial.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard that each of the teenagers, who cannot be named for legal reasons, each had a part to play in the run-up to the stabbing.

Miss Morley, who lives in Kent, said: "I do feel that justice hasn't really been delivered.

"I don't feel it has in regards to the teenagers walking free, to completely go home, sleep in their own beds and carry on as normal when Darren can't.

"Hopefully the petition can create enough awareness so we can appeal and have another hearing.

"I feel that they should have some punishment.

"Without their actions, Darren would still be alive."

She had been looking forward to her future with Mr Kelly following a whirlwind eight-month romance when he was killed.

The 16-year-old girl, who was 15 at the time of the attack, had arranged to meet Mr Kelly in Caister Drive, Pitsea, after speaking to him over an anonymous messaging app.

During the trial, one of the boys admitted punching Mr Kelly and pulling him to the ground.

The gang attacked him as the wrongly thought he was a paedophile.

Paying tribute to Mr Kelly, Miss Morley said: "He was really loving and just so helpful.

"He had an amazing sense of humour, he could make anyone laugh.

"He had that sort of humour that could light up a room.

"We had a perfect relationship and we were very happy.

"I had no reason to think he was doing anything sinister."

She added: "He was moving in at the time. Even now, I have a lot of his stuff in my cellar and he isn't here.

"We were looking forward to lots of exciting plans, we had a Christmas party planned and were looking forward to our first Christmas together."

The petition, set up by Mr Kelly's cousin Nikki Sillence, calls on the Crown Prosecution Service to review the charges against the teenagers in the case.

It was launched on Thursday and by Sunday night it had more than 3,800 signatures.

Dad-of-one Mr Kelly, of Voysey Gardens, Pitsea, died at Basildon Hospital hours after he was attacked.

He had been stabbed six times, including twice in the lungs.

To sign the petition, visit change.org/p/cps-justice-for-darren-kelly.