Rikki Neave’s mother describes son’s murderer as a ‘monster’

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The mother of strangled schoolboy Rikki Neave has described her son’s killer James Watson as a “monster”, as he was found guilty of the youngster’s murder after 27 years. “Statements were released to the media and I was not allowed to defend myself because of a gagging order from social services, so anyone could say anything and get away with it.” In a statement released through police, one of Rikki’s sisters, Rebecca Harvey, said that “sadly” Rikki’s father, and her father, Trevor Harvey, “is no longer with us to see his son’s justice”. “We love you so much Rikki, sleep tight little man, you will always be in our hearts and never forgotten.” His aunts Sandra Chestney and Alison Harvey, the sisters of Trevor Harvey, said: “This is a day we feared would never come, 27 years is a long time to grieve without closure. “Sadly, Rikki’s dad Trevor passed away not knowing what happened to his ‘best boy in the world’, now they can finally both be at peace together.” Watson will be sentenced on May 9.