THE former lover of murder victim Rhonda Melling has told how their son has helped him overcome the tragedy.

Little Joshua Melling has lived with his grandmother Anne Melling since his mother was strangled to death.

But every Saturday the smiling tot stays with his devastated father Neil Rawson, aged 23, who lives a few streets away on Cedar Road, Leigh, and is a regular visitor to Mrs Melling's home.

Vicious killer Stuart Thorpe was jailed for life last week at Manchester Crown Court. There were loud cheers from Rhonda Melling's friends and relations when the jury returned after six hours to find him guilty of murder.

Speaking after the court case, and with his son playing at his feet, factory worker Neil said: "He was only six or seven weeks old when he lost his mum so he is still too young to understand.

"But when he is old enough we will tell him the truth about what happened and all about his mum.

"I will tell him what a good person she was and how everybody loved her. She was proper soft-hearted and would do anyone a good turn."

Already the tot, who celebrates his first birthday on March 19 and has just found his feet, recognises photographs of pretty Rhonda dotted around both houses.

"He knows the picture of his mum and in his own little mind he knows she is someone special," said Neil.

"It's been very hard but when I look at Joshua I can just see Rhonda in him."

Rhonda and Neil had been very close friends since their school days but did not become romantically involved until about six months before she became pregnant with Joshua.

They split up when she was three months pregnant and Rhonda started going out with Stuart Thorpe.

Neil, who spent part of the night before she died with Rhonda, was too upset to talk about their relationship but his mum Christine said: "They did not have a big fall out or row.

"They had known each other for 10 or 11 years and I'm sure they would have got back together again. On the night it happened, Rhonda was thinking of coming back here but she was too worried and Neil gave her the money to get a taxi home.

"We had not seen Joshua because we felt awkward about going to the house while Stuart was there but Rhonda was supposed to be bringing him to see us on the day she died.

"It's just awful. I feel like that man has robbed my son of a future wife and family and robbed this little boy of his mum."

After the killing a solicitor drew up a legal agreement allowing Joshua to be cared for full-time by Mrs Melling. Following the murder Mr Melling had a breakdown and the couple now live apart but remain friends.

All those who care for Joshua are determined the youngest victim of the tragedy will overcome the horrific start to his life.

"I don't think he will need counselling, I think a loving family will be enough for him. We will just have to be careful about spoiling him rotten," said Christine.

Pictured: Neil Rawson with Joshua

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