THE heartbroken former partner of a man tragically stabbed to death on Canvey has paid tribute to him as “an incredible father” a year after his death.

Vicky Hawkins, the father of both Matt Portwood's children, has admitted she is still overcome by grief on a daily basis when she reflects back on the violent murder outside the Haystack Pub, on Canvey.

Mr Portwood's killer, Jamie-Lee Lewis was sentenced to life in prison earlier this month and Vicky, 32, says the only relief she has is knowing he is behind bars.

Saturday, February 4, will mark one-year since Mr Portwood was violently murdered - leaving behind Vicky and their two children, 13-year-old Millie and Layton, 10.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the incident, Vicky has paid tribute to an incredible father who has left a void in the lives of his family and friends.

Ms Hawkins said: “Matt was a good dad, and he never deserved what happened to him, it was a massive loss for the children. They will never be able to celebrate things in their life with their dad beside them.

“I carry their grief and my own with me, I live on Canvey and everyday I am reliving the nightmare of that day, I look at life differently now and I look at people differently.

“Possibly the only relief is that his killer was locked away for a significant amount of time. I stood up and gave a victim’s statement at the sentencing, it never ends really, you try to carry on but you can’t.

During the incident, Mr Portwood had stepped in to try and prevent a brawl outside the pub, before the attackers devastatingly turned on him.

Vicky insisted the fact that Mr Portwood had tried to resolve the issue is a testament to his character and good nature.

She added: “He was trying to help. It shows that he was a good man, I think he did just like to help people.

"He was the joker of the night, he pulled the pranks and made everyone laugh, he was an amazing father.

“We had so much support at the funeral, the kind words of people and donations have really helped us and helped towards the funeral costs.

“His family have helped us through it and I will be forever grateful.

“We will go for a drink and raise a glass on the third and on the fourth, we will get new flowers and I encourage people to lay them at the scene and on his headstone."