A FATHER spoke about the grief of losing his ‘thoughtful, kind and friendly’ son after he was stabbed to death in Rochford.

Dominic Clark Ellingford, 32, was murdered by Perry Coulson, 39, in Lesney Gardens, Rochford on November 25, 2022.

The killer appeared in Basildon Crown Court to be sentenced by Judge Samantha Leigh on August 11.

A victim impact statement from Mr Clark-Ellingford’s father, Richard Ellingford, was read out to the court.

It read: “I watched Dom come into the world 33 years go and he was perfect, 33 years later I saw him walk up an alleyway for the last time to leave it.

“Dom could be frightening and violent, that part I won’t miss, but he was thoughtful, kind and friendly.

“He let many people down over the years but was still so loved, he was so likeable with his loud laugh and big smile.

“Dom was always striving to stay on the right path, that is the son I will remember, that is the son I will miss.”

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The victim and his killer were long-time friends who had fallen out weeks before the murder in November 2022.

An apparent reconciliation between the two was in the works as they met in the late hours of November 24 and consumed alcohol and drugs together.

This continued into the early hours of November 25 as the two spent time together at the defendant’s flat in Lesney Gardens.

After a few tricks back and forth to the Jet Garage in Rochford, the pair returned and began rapping to their favourite music.

Some offensive comments were made before a fight broke out, resulting in Coulson stabbing Mr Clark-Ellingford through the heart with a large US Army fighting knife.

Despite the best efforts of emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Coulson was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 15 years.

Judge Leigh said: “In my view, this situation was fuelled by both drugs and alcohol.

“I would like to thank the victim’s family for the way they presented themselves throughout this trial with the utmost dignity.”