Mother’s Reality ‘Shattered’ After Son’s Fatal Stabbing

The mother of Joshua Barr, 31, a father-of-one, stated that her reality was “shattered” by knife crime after learning of her son’s murder on Mother’s Day. Mr. Barr was discovered collapsed in Ferrars Way, Cambridge, around 05:00 GMT on Sunday, 10 March, having sustained multiple stab wounds. Earlier this week, Tyler Marshall, 20, who has no fixed address, and Cameron Stokes, 23, from Highfield Close in South Glamorgan, received life sentences for Mr. Barr’s killing. The woman, whose identity was withheld upon request, commented: “Where I once saw the world in colour, I now only see it in black and white.” At Peterborough Crown Court, the trial revealed to jurors that Mr. Barr had been stabbed due to a debt owed by his friend. In a statement issued via Cambridgeshire Police, his mother recounted her initial confusion about not hearing from her son on Mothering Sunday. She stated: “When police officers arrived I then knew of course, he wasn’t going to contact me. Not this Mother’s Day or any other.” She further added: “I was overwhelmed with panic, distress and was confused at the news. I couldn’t believe it. My reality was shattered.” “I later learned that Joshua died on a pavement, and I was not there to comfort him. He must have been so scared and afraid, lying there in pain,” she continued. She asserted: “There is nothing Joshua would have ever done to justify being stabbed so many times. I wake at night not being able to breathe. I am haunted with saturated thoughts of my son’s final moments.” “My son has gone, no more hopes and dreams, no more Father’s or Mother’s day. No more Christmas or birthday celebrations. His brutal murder has destroyed so many lives,” she lamented. She concluded her statement by saying: “This is the reality of knife crime and carrying a knife. It’s not a game. It’s real. Joshua didn’t die, he was murdered with a knife.” Chief Inspector Oliver Warsop commented: “The devastating effects of knife crime and serious violence on victims, their families and the wider communities cannot be underestimated.” Stokes is required to serve a minimum of 21 years and 132 days before becoming eligible for parole, whereas Marshall received a minimum term of 15 years and 132 days.