Crime: ‘What reason can justify the killing of my only son?’ – mother tells of terrible loss after senseless Sunderland murder

The mother of a man murdered as he lay in bed has expressed her anguish after his attacker was jailed. Adrian Wright, 53, of no permanent address, was sentenced to life in prison today after admitting murder in September. Allen’s mother, Adisatu Florisa Sulaiman, spoke after the sentencing hearing and said:

“At my age, I was looking forward to my son getting married, settling down, and him giving me a befitting send-off – not me burying him.”The sadness of his death has devastated my heart and will stay with me until the end of my life. “The murderer has left a huge void in our life; it is simply unfathomable, and I am too heartbroken to comprehend what I am going through. “I’m still hoping that this event is a protracted nightmare from which I’ll awaken sometime.

“April 24 was the biggest shock of my life because I was unable to spend time with him say a decent goodbye. He was taken away without notice.”This murder came out of nowhere, destroying my son’s precious life in a matter of minutes, and for what? “What reason can justify the killing of my only son?” Detective Chief Inspector Matt Steel, the case’s Senior Investigating Officer, described the murder as ‘brutal and senseless’ and expressed condolences to Allen’s family.

“First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Allen at what remains a difficult time,” the governor stated. “Our hope is that now his killer has been jailed they can take some degree of closure from this horrendous ordeal.” He continued, “This was a horrible and senseless murder, and I am relieved that Wright will now serve a substantial prison sentence.

“He attempted to avoid justice by fleeing the scene and discarding his clothes, but the brilliant work of the investigation team forced him to accept responsibility for his actions in court.” “There is no justification for the actions that have deprived Allen’s family of a dear son and friend.

“Violence has no place in our communities and destroys lives, and as a Force we will continue to do everything within our power to reduce this type of offending.”