A MOTHER fought back tears this week as she told how she has been robbed of celebrating her eldest child's 21st birthday.

Fifteen years ago, Margaret Lowther was murdered by her cousin, John Johnston, in an attack described by the trial judge as "revolting, appalling in the extreme and abominable".

Five-year-old Margaret was suffocated in a pool of mud while Johnston, who was then aged 17, carried out a sex attack.

The killing shocked the tight-knit travelling community to which Margaret and her family belonged.

Her mother, Carol, who has worn black every day since her daughter was killed, is finding it difficult to cope in the run-up to tomorrow- the day it would have been Margaret's birthday.

She said: "This is the hardest birthday as it is such a special one, and as a family we have been robbed of watching her progress from being a child to an adult."

Earlier this year Mrs Lowther, who has now settled in Stockton, was informed that Johnston had served his 14-year term in Maghabbery Prison, Northern Ireland, and will soon be released.

But she said Johnston would never be welcomed back into the travelling community.

Mrs Lowther, often accompanied by her four other children, visits Margaret's grave in Oxbridge Cemetery, Stockton every day.

She said: "I have always got her on my mind. From when I wake up until I go to bed, she is always with me.

"I just wish we could properly celebrate her 21st with her here, but while Johnston may soon be able to enjoy his freedom he has taken my daughter's away."