The mother of a man who died after being stabbed in Heywood says he will “always be her firstborn baby boy”.
Matthew McKenzie suffered fatal knife wounds to the heart in an attack in 2017.
An inquest into his death was opened at Rochdale Coroner’s Court today on Monday (July 5).
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It was previously reported that the 33-year-old had been drinking at James Hurst’s home on the night of January 12, 2017.
They left the house in search of more alcohol and stole cans of beer, vodka and cigarettes from two nearby newsagents.
Hurst and another man were then seen entering an alleyway where Mr McKenzie was later found dead.
Hurst was convicted of murder and possession of a bladed article and jailed for life with a minimum sentence of 26 years the following July.
He was released from prison 18 months before the fatal attack after being sentenced for an unrelated offence.
Manchester Crown Court heard Mr McKenzie's body was discovered by a dog walker in an alleyway off Promenade Street in Heywood.
A post-mortem examination revealed he had suffered chest wounds, with a blade piercing his heart.
Hurst then returned to his girlfriend’s house and bought them a meal from McDonald’s.
The following day Hurst rang his mother and told her: "I’ve stabbed someone Mum, on Promenade Street."
On January 14, Hurst handed himself in to police.
In a statement read out at Mr McKenzie’s inquest, his devastated mother, Kathryn Jones, said there is “not a day goes by” where she doesn’t think about her son.
She said: “It’s only when someone is gone that you realise how precious those memories are.
“He had beautiful big blue eyes and blonde hair.
“I still remember in every detail his first haircut. I still have those baby curls.
“I still remember his first day at nursery.
“Matthew’s carefree approach to life came with its challenges. It’s fair to say he had his ups and downs in life. He was our lovable rogue.
“He was always able to make his family laugh.
“Any chance for future memories has been taken away from us, which is something I struggle with.
“There is not a day goes by where I do not think about him.
“He will always be my firstborn baby boy.”
The inquest, held by Dr Edward Morgan, looked at the probation service's handling of Hurst in the community.
It came following his release from prison in 2015.
The court heard how documents relating to Hurst during his time in prison repeatedly referred to him being at high-risk of re-offending.
The paperwork also said he posed a harm to others.
Dr Morgan said following his release from prison, Hurst was required to meet with the probation service on a monthly basis.
Meetings with his offender manager were scheduled during the spring of 2016 but some were missed.
Giving evidence at the inquest, Nisha Bakshi, assistant chief officer for the National Probation Service, said action should have been taken to reschedule the appointments.
Hurst should have also been asked why he was missing appointments and whether his absence was justified or not.
The court heard how he was also involved in an alleged report of domestic violence in June 2016.
Ms Bakshi said a recall to prison should have been taken following this incident.
The inquest, which is scheduled to last two weeks, continues.
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