'My heart is shattered' - Harley Barfield's mother describes agony as son's killer jailed

• Raveena Ghattaura reports from Ipswich Crown Court, as Harley Barfield's killer was jailed.

The mother of a murdered teenager described how her son's death has left her heart "shattered", as the killer who stabbed him in a dispute over a girl was jailed for life.

Harley Barfield, 16, was stabbed on 9 January following an altercation in a car park in Haverhill in Suffolk and died from his injuries two days later.

His mother Bernice told Ipswich Crown Court on Tuesday that was the day her "life changed forever", adding: "It was my job as a mum to protect him and I couldn’t do that. I will always be known as the mother of a boy who was murdered.”

She added: "I miss him so much, my heart is shattered. I feel totally lost and shattered."

The 17-year-old killer, who cannot be named because of his age, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 17 years.

Harley was stabbed in Strasbourg Square in Haverhill, and a murder trial heard that the killer had become obsessed with Harley's girlfriend, according to Suffolk Police.

He suffered several stab wounds - one of which was to his heart, a post-mortem examination revealed.

The defendant previously had admitted manslaughter and possession of a knife, but denied murder. He was found guilty at trial in November.

The defendant, who was 16 at the time of the attack, failed to look up and showed no emotion as sentence was passed.

The court had earlier heard victim impact statement's from Harley's family, including his mother, father and sister.

His father Darryl told the court: “I miss him so much. No father or mother should watch their son’s coffin be loaded to the ground.

"I want to take his place but I can’t. The thought of my son being scared kills me every day."

He added: "I just wish I could kiss and cuddle my son one more time. All I have is memories.”

Harley’s sister Destiny said: “My world is now a very scary place. My brother walked to the shops and was brutally stabbed: there is no reason or excuse I could ever accept for that.”

The court heard that the defendant had carried out searches on his phone including "How long in prison for murder" and "how to stab someone".

Following the attack, the defendant fled the scene taking the knife with him but was arrested 45 minutes later.

In his initial account given to police, the defendant told officers he had met Harley by chance and that Harley had instigated the fight and had the knife.

He claimed he had picked up the knife after it had been dropped and then used it in self-defence.

However, the knife was recovered from the side of a river near the attack and was found to have been part of a set taken from the defendant’s home. Harley’s blood and DNA were found on the blade.

Det Ch Insp Stuart Chapman said: "Tragically Harley lost his life in circumstances that stemmed from the defendant’s obsession and jealousy."

He added: "This came to a head when defendant, having left school early, waited in the area and confronted Harley using a knife in a planned and violent attack - a knife that he chose to carry, that he chose to use and that he tried to dispose of in an effort to mislead police and minimise what he had done."