TRIBUTES have been paid to the man fatally stabbed in Westbourne in June last year.

Fabio Menegon, 45, died after being stabbed at least 13 times by Giuseppe Vittorio Zerega, 31, in Eldon Place on June 19.

During the incident, a woman aged in her 40s and a teenage boy also suffered injuries which were not life-threatening.

Mr Zerega, 31, of Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, was found not guilty of manslaughter and two counts of attempted murder by reason of insanity at Winchester Crown Court on Thursday.

A post-mortem examination revealed that Mr Menegon died from stab wounds to the head and trunk.

His partner said: “I don't think anyone can understand the horror that we have experienced and are continuing to live through. No words could possibly describe the loss of Fabio, of our hopes, our trust, our relationship and the pain and emptiness that we are living with.

“Fabio was one of a kind. He was a true gentleman, big-hearted, devoutly Catholic and a deeply faithful man.

“He was a life partner and a stepfather to love and be grateful for; a brother to cherish. Nothing mattered more to Fabio than family and friends. Fabio made a difference in the lives of all he touched; his smile could light up a whole room, he was so warm and welcoming.

“All I want is to have our old life back, but that’s impossible. I miss the inside jokes. I miss hearing about his day at work. I miss his laugh. I miss his touch and the sound of his voice when he’d tell me he loves me. We have so many memories that I will treasure for the rest of my life.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Dorset Police who has assisted with this investigation, all of the staff at University Hospitals Dorset who treated us and to everyone who has been there to support us and Fabio’s family throughout this time and who continue to do so.

“Fabio lives on in our hearts no matter how broke they are.”

Detective chief inspector Jez Noyce, of Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT), said: “The particular circumstances made this a very tragic case and my sympathies remain with the family and friends of Fabio Menegon as they try to come to terms with their loss.”