THE devastated family of a man stabbed to death on New Year’s Day say he was turning his life around after spending years going in and out of prison.

The sister of Paul ‘Dod’ Fletcher, who was the victim of an attack in Rayleigh, revealed he had been enjoying spending time with family after a “cycle” of being behind bars.

Heartbroken friends and family left flowers outside the victim’s home, on Worcester Drive, a day after the 31-year-old dad-of-one died.

Now Shelly Thomas has set up a fundraiser to help pay for Paul’s funeral on February 11.

Echo: Paul FletcherPaul Fletcher

She has launched the page to help with the cost of the funeral in Upminster, which will see a procession pass Paul’s old family home in Dagenham.

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Mrs Thomas told the Echo how Paul’s dad had passed away when her brother was just 15. 

She said: “It was devastating for him when his dad died. 

“Our brother also died in 2013. Dod was mum’s baby and the last son she had left.

“She’s really struggling at the moment, but we’re all trying to stay strong for her.

“Paul was really enjoying spending some quality time with his family. I was round there baking cakes with them when we were allowed.

“He was a brilliant boy, he really was.”

Mrs Thomas added she had been asleep on New Year’s Day, and woke up to missed calls about Dod. 

She said: “I thought they were joking. It was so sudden and shocking. The whole family are devastated.

“I’ve asked the family to not tell me any of the details until after the funeral, so I can stay strong for mum.

“He was helping out his nan too, and she’s feeling lost without him.

“I remember him waking me up at 6am in the morning telling me he was going shopping. He was a proper rascal.

“If anyone is able to donate, that would be a big help to give him the best send off.”

Up to 30 people will be allowed to attend the funeral, with wider friends and family able to livestream the service.

He died at the scene, with a post-mortem examination recording that he sustained a stab wound to the chest.

Hannah Sindrey, 23, is accused of the murder of the 31-year-old.

Sindrey, of Worcester Drive, Rayleigh, was remanded in custody until a plea hearing, due to take place in the week commencing February 1.