Mother’s special day steeped in tragedy
Mar 1 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal
THE MOTHER of a talented photographer who was killed in a frenzied knife attack has spoken of life without her son, two years on from his death.
On a day when Barbara Yusuf-Porter should be smothered in love from her children, she will instead spend Mothers’ Day celebrating the life of her murdered son.
Devout Christian Lee Phipps was murdered two years ago tomorrow, on March 2, as he walked along an ash path near his home in King George Road, South Shields. He was on his way to photograph the snow-covered Cleadon Hills.
Scott Nichols, who lived just doors away, was convicted of stabbing the 31-year-old several times with a 5ins dagger, piercing his heart.
Nichols was convicted of murder and handed a life sentence after a two-day hearing at Newcastle Crown Court last year.
Yesterday, Mrs Yusuf-Porter, 54, from South Shields, spoke of life without her son.
She said: “We’re doing a few things for Lee this weekend. It’s just a private get together, and we are going to let balloons go and celebrate his life. We’re having the grave blessed, and it’s a chance for all the immediate family to remember him. It will be the second time that we have done it.
“But this weekend is no different to any other weekend, we think about him all the time.”
Speaking of Lee’s love for his family, Mrs Yusuf-Porter said: “If he were here, Lee would have loved to have seen his nieces. They miss him so much.
“Since he died I’ve had a new grandchild, he’s the spitting image of Lee, and it’s a nice reminder.
“But it’s sad that Lee never saw him. He would have taken so many photos. He was so important to this family. He is always in our thoughts and minds.
“He was pretty quiet, but he was intelligent and he did everything he could to look after me and his sisters. Just like he lived, and loved and fought for us, he always protected us. He loved messing about with the kids, he used to grow flowers for the bairns.”
Mrs Yusuf-Porter relived her last hours with him and the moment she found out he was dead.
She said: “He said he was going to take some photographs of Cleadon Hills. He left the house at about 3.45pm and I spoke to him at about 4.20pm. He was on the top of the hill and he said it wouldn’t be long before he was home.
“When I found out he was dead, I couldn’t believe it. I should have gone with him, and I should have looked after him.”
Mr Phipp’s killer 21-year-old Scott Nichols, a serial burglar, was caught after recording himself on his mobile phone, describing himself as a “murderer”.
He was given life, and ordered to serve a minimum of 22 years after being trapped by a single speck of Mr Phipps’ blood found on his clothing.
Mr Phipps had two sisters, Kelly and Gemma, and his father Des Phipps – who separated from Mrs Yusuf-Porter – lives in the Manchester area.
Lee’s mother has kept a bedroom as a shrine – buying him Christmas presents ever year.
She said: “It just makes me so sad. I just keep thinking he is going to come back home and we’ve kept it all ready for him.
“Just after he died we moved house. We unpacked his stuff, his photographs and his albums, and we have pictures of him all over the house. We still have his book collection, his cards and even his aftershave.”
