Rosie's parents tell of 'nightmare'

Rosie's parents and brother at her funeral

The parents of Rosemarie Ross, who was stabbed to death by a mentally ill man as she sunbathed in the centre of Birmingham, have told of the "nightmare" of losing their daughter.

Sean and Karen Ross listened in court as Inderjit Kainth, 44, was ordered to be detained indefinitely in a secure hospital.

He stabbed Rosemarie in the city's busy Centenary Square in front of crowds of shoppers during a hot Saturday afternoon in May.

Mr and Mrs Ross were too upset to speak after Monday's court hearing but said in a statement they were relieved proceedings were over.

There is something vital missing ... the light and enthusiasm has gone from our lives

Sean and Karen Ross

"This time last year, we were preparing for Christmas, buying presents for Rosie and Alex.

"This Christmas, we are lighting candles in memory of our daughter.

"It is every parent's nightmare for another person to take the life of your child.

"We wait, hoping it is just a nightmare and Rosie will walk back into our lives again, but knowing this is not possible, that whatever happens here, will not bring Rosie back to us.

"The loss of her life has effectively devastated the lives of a family.

Inderjit Kainth: Held indefinitely

"Nothing feels right, whatever we do or wherever we go, there is something vital missing.

"The light and enthusiasm has gone from our lives.

"It would be very easy for this tragedy to crush and cripple us and there are days when this feeling is overwhelming.

"But as a tribute to Rosie, we are determined to rise and ride above it, as she would do whenever life got her down.

"Nothing, not even death, or anyone can ever break the bonds of love we have for our Rosie. She always will be our beautiful daughter and sister to Alex."

'Philosophy on life'

Kainth denied murder but pleaded guilty at Birmingham Crown Court to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility.

Rosemarie died five hours after being stabbed by the father-of-five from Handsworth, Birmingham.

Mourners at Rosie's funeral service, held at her local parish church in Aldridge, West Midlands, were read extracts from Rosie's "will", which she called advice and her "philosophy on life".

Rosie: "Stay focused"

It said: "If you believe in yourself, you can do anything, it doesn't matter what people tell you, have faith, be patient, you'll see what I mean.

"Also, never stop trying to achieve your goal. Stay focused, stay happy and you'll find what you are looking for in your heart.

"I want you to know I am happy and I may have gone but I will live on.

"I hope I made a permanent impression on you and that it will never fade away."

'Disarming clarity'

The Rev Roger Harper, of St Thomas's Methodist Church, Aldridge, said Rosie, was "a shining light in the lives of everyone she met".

He said of the "will": "Rosie expresses her love for people who have been in her life and she writes with a disarming clarity of the way in which she is sure she will live on in the hearts of all her friends and family.

"She writes of her certainty of a place in paradise, a claim I am completely sure she has found to be true."