The heartbroken mother of a Romford club bouncer has thanked the community for its support after a man was found guilty of her son’s death.

Suzanne Hedges, spoke after Tommy Roome, 20, of Rams Grove, Chadwell Heath, was found guilty of the manslaughter of her son Ricky Hayden.

Believing Roome was trying to steal his brother Perry’s moped, Ricky, his dad Paul, and Perry confronted Roome and Tarrell Hinds outside their Chadwell Heath home in September last year.

Ricky died in hospital after being fatally stabbed with a “machete like knife”.

In tears, Ms Hedges recorded a Facebook Live video and said: “I’m sorry Rick, I wish I could have done a bit more for you. I love you boy.”

Speaking in what she said was Ricky’s favourite place – his nan’s garden – she thanked the community for all their support during the trial.

“It’s an awful time for me and my family,” she continued.

“I need to say thank you to the police who have worked their fingers to the bone to bring this case to court.

“Every hour they could they did it. The prosecution barristers were fantastic. They did the best they could for my son.

“All my friends who have stuck by me and supported me through this ordeal, especially the community of Marks Gate without them we could have never gone to trial.”

Det Con Paul Garvey said: “Ricky’s family have had to endure unimaginable pain and grief following Ricky’s death.

“They have been fully supportive of our investigation from day one, and acted with the utmost dignity and courage throughout the inquiry and trial.”

Roome’s co-defendant Mr Hinds, 20, of Manford Cross, Hainault was acquitted of manslaughter.

“My family have held their head up high all through the court and showed such dignity and respect going in every single day,” continued Ms Hedges.

Unhappy with the verdicts, Ms Hedges said she would campaign for tougher penalties for knife crimes.

A third man on trial, Kevin Malamba, of Rodney Road, Southwark pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to perverting the course of justice.

Roome and Malamba will be sentenced at The Old Bailey on Friday, September 8.