Walking towards the social club with my six-year-old son, Isaac, we couldn't wait to see the pantomime, Aladdin. After splitting with my partner Michael the year before, it was just us two. Reaching the doorway, we were greeted by Mark, a regular from the club. “Hiya,” he, grinned, spotting us. “Enjoy your night!” I knew of Mark through my ex who had chatted to him at the club a couple of times. He'd told me he was a bit of a loner and an oddball but he seemed friendly enough.
Over the next few years, I'd sometimes see Mark out and about in the village where I lived in Leicester, while I walked my dog, Frankie. One day, in June 2022, I was out with Isaac and Frankie when I…
