THE girlfriend of a murdered Sheerness man has described her partner as "the best dad in the world".

Samantha Lee said her boyfriend, Roy Rossiter, who died on Christmas Eve, lived for their nine-year-old disabled son and five-week-old baby.

She said: “All he lived for was those boys. He idolised his kids and was the best dad in the world.”

Mr Rossiter, who recently gave up work to help care for his son Connor, who has cerebral palsy, also had a five-week-old baby, Little Roy.

A murder investigation was launched last week after the 24-year-old, of Alma Street, Sheerness, was left unconscious in an attack on December 22 in Sheerness.

Police were called to Clyde Street following reports of a disturbance between one or more men which left Mr Rossiter unconscious.

An ambulance was called but paramedics were unable to resuscitate him. He was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham suffering from serious head injuries but failed to regain consciousness. He was pronounced dead at 5.30am on Christmas Eve. Two post-mortem examinations have proved inconclusive.

Miss Lee, 26, has been staying with friends since her partner’s death and is now looking to move house. She said: “He was a great partner. I have never been so happy as with him. He just made everyone happy.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack, which took place near a Chinese take-away and a pub. They are particularly keen to talk to anyone who may have seen a bare-chested man in his 20s fleeing the scene.

Anyone with information is asked to call Swale Police on 01795 477055 and ask for extension 3531. Alternatively they can call Crimestoppers confidentially on 0800 555 111.