Louise Smith trial: Family pay tribute to murdered daughter

THE parents of Louise Smith wept outside court after Shane Mays was convicted of her brutal murder.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Shortly after jurors convicted the 30-year-old at Winchester Crown Court, both Rebbecca Cooper and Bradley Smith's sides of the family flanked Detective Inspector Adam Edwards.

Rebbecca and her partner wore purple T-shirts with ‘Justice 4 Louise Violet Smith’ written on the front.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Family members wept as Det Insp Edwards, senior investigating officer from Hampshire police, read out their statements.

Louise Smith's mum Rebbecca Cooper with her partner Richard O'Shea 
Picture: Ben FishwickLouise Smith's mum Rebbecca Cooper with her partner Richard O'Shea 
Picture: Ben Fishwick
Louise Smith's mum Rebbecca Cooper with her partner Richard O'Shea Picture: Ben Fishwick
Read More
Louise Smith trial: Shane Mays convicted of brutally murdering teenager

The statement from Rebbecca Cooper said: 'We would like to thank everyone who contributed in finding justice for our beautiful daughter Louise.

‘No words can describe the loss we feel on a daily basis.

Bradley Smith, father of Louise Smith, with his family (names not given) outside Winchester Crown Court Picture: Ben Mitchell/PA WireBradley Smith, father of Louise Smith, with his family (names not given) outside Winchester Crown Court Picture: Ben Mitchell/PA Wire
Bradley Smith, father of Louise Smith, with his family (names not given) outside Winchester Crown Court Picture: Ben Mitchell/PA Wire

‘She was our sunshine, and is truly missed by all that knew her.

‘I cannot put it into words, but the pain inside is unbelievable just knowing we will never see her again.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘It has been a very hard few months, and the last four weeks have been traumatising to say the least.’

She praised prosecutors and said the family could ‘finally grieve’ following the conviction.

Louise SmithLouise Smith
Louise Smith

In a statement also read by police, Louise’s father Bradley Smith said: ‘Louise was very much loved her whole young life.

‘As a family we wanted to give her happy times like taking her on holiday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘We all find it impossible to accept that we will never hear her voice or see her cheeky smile again.

‘Our chance to see her grow up has been ripped away from us.’

He said he moved away and tried to build a life for him and Louise but will ‘never get a chance to share that with her’’.

He added: 'The loss of Louise has destroyed our family.'

He thanked the Leigh Park community for supporting the family and investigation.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Det Insp Adam Edwards said Louise's death was an 'absolute tragedy' and also praised Leigh Park for helping police.

He said there was a 'shocking level of violence' inflicted upon Louise by Mays, who will be sentenced on Wednesday.