"Attacker has robbed us of precious time with caring son and brother"

THE FAMILY of a man who died after being attacked in his own home said they have been left with “a gaping hole” in their hearts.

Paul Dyson, who was also known as Paul Sandford, was assaulted by Adam Goodridge (31) on October 30 last year and died five days later in hospital.

Goodridge of Huntington Way, Maltby, was today cleared of the murder of Paul Dyson (38), but found guilty of his manslaughter.

Mr Dyson had a number of underlyling health problems including chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal failure.

He was attacked by Goodridge at around midnight at his bungalow on Littlehey Close, Maltby, as he lay asleep in his bed.

During the two-week trial the court heard Goodridge became a “self-appointed enforcer” after he decided to seek revenge on Mr Dyson who was in a rental dispute with his friend.

He punched Mr Dyson in the face several times and warned him he needed to leave Maltby.

Det Insp Simon Palmer, the senior investigating officer, said: “He then went to shake Mr Dyson’s hand but instead, punched him in the face a number of times before taking a photograph of Mr Dyson’s injuries.

“Goodridge briefly left the room and even had the audacity to say that he would buy Mr Dyson’s friends a beer, before returning to the room to continue his attack.”

Goodridge then forced Mr Dyson’s three friends who were watching on in horror to call an ambulance and tell them he had fallen in the bath.

Mr Dyson suffered a bleed on the brain, a fractured eye socket and severe cuts and bruising to his face and hands.

South Yorkshire Police launched a murder investigation after he died in hospital on November 4.

Goodridge was seen on CCTV calmly leaving Mr Dyson’s home after the assault wearing a distinctive Help For Heroes hooded top and following a public appeal handed himself into police.

Following Goodridge’s conviction today Mr Dyson’s family said they had lost a caring son and brother from their close-knit family.

In a statement the family added: “Paul’s death has left a gaping hole in our hearts which is never going to heal.

“From the age of eight, Paul had suffered from ongoing health problems and the indescribable actions of Goodridge on that night has robbed us of the precious time we had left with him.

“We should be making lasting, happy memories with him right now, but instead we are left with the utter devastation of having our son, brother and friend taken away from us.”

The family said they were relieved Goodridge will be jailed for what he did to Paul, who they described as “a kind, caring and sensitive man who was part of a close-knit family”.

The family said: “He had a good group of friends and he will be forever missed.

“Goodridge took away the remaining time Paul may have had with his loved ones and that’s something that can never be replaced.”

Det Insp Palmer addressed allegations about Mr Dyson’s character that had been raised during proceedings .

Goodridge claimed in court that when he told Mr Dyson to get out of Maltby he responded with: “What, because I am a paedo?”

Det Insp Palmer added: “I’d like to stress that these comments were unfounded and despite concerns raised about his lifestyle choices, Mr Dyson was a well-liked and respectable man, and his family have suffered a tragic loss as a result of his death.”

Goodridge will be sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court tomorrow (Thursday).