THIS is the first picture of the man responsible for ripping the heart out of a young family.
Alexander Layton stabbed James Stokoe multiple times after a road-rage row descended into extreme violence.
The 40-year-old bled to death in his BMW following the angry confrontation on Trenchard Avenue, Thornaby, after Layton walked out in front of the car after getting off a bus on May 15 last year.
Read more: Watch the moment Alexander Layton steps out in front of James Stokoe's BMW
Jurors heard how the 34-year-old pulled the large knife out of a rucksack and stabbed his victim while he was sitting in the driver’s seat with his young son on a booster seat in the rear.
Today, his heartbroken family has spoken of the devastation his murder has had on them.
In a statement issued through Cleveland Police, they said: “Nothing will ever bring back our beloved James and we have to live with the consequences of what happened for the rest of our lives.
“He was a much-loved husband, father, son and son in law and he is dearly missed by all of us.
“James was treasured by so many people with his wonderful, kind and gentle nature and his loss to us all is unimaginable.”
Following Layton's arrest in a pizza shop in Great Ayton the evening after the alleged murder he claimed he acted in self-defence.
Mr Makepeace said: "Being angry because someone has the audacity to challenge, being angry and attacking an unarmed man with a knife is not self-defence.
"Mr Layton could simply have kept walking, what he did was unnecessary, unreasonable and unlawful.
"Following his arrest one of the things he said was 'I didn't mean to do it. It was an accident' - this was no accident."
Layton, of Shackleton Close, Thornaby, will be sentenced tomorrow after being found guilty of murder.
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