Callum Jones
A mum has admitted that she has 'no regrets' after turning in her son to the police for killing a 16-year-old boy.
Donna Delbono, 42, made the difficult decision to turn in her son Joshua Delbono, 19, who stabbed Charley Bates in a pub car park in Radstock, Somerset, last July.
Joshua stabbed Charley multiple times over a £20 debt.
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Now, in an interview with the Daily Mail, mother-of seven Donna has opened up about making 'the hardest choice any parent will ever have to make.'
She said: "I was brought up to know the difference between right and wrong, and to always try to do the right thing in life, no matter how hard it is. Even though it was such a tough choice to make, I know I’d do the same again.
"I couldn’t have lived with myself if I’d chosen instead not to call the police. I feel terrible that Charley Bates lost his life and my sympathies go out to his family.
Donna's call to the police was played in Bristol Crown Court, and as you can imagine, it was a rather tough listen.
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The jury in attendance heard her say: "My son’s killed someone. It was at Radstock earlier. He’s just come back and I’ve found out. He’s in my house now but I can’t let him go anywhere.
The operator on the phone then asked Donna if her son knew the call was playing out, to which she responded: "Yeah, he’s here. I’ve told him I’ve got to do it."
Donna had actually just retuned from a night out with friends when Joshua admitted everything to her.
Her son apparently told her he was 'scared' and that he didn't know what to do, but Donna said: "There was only one thing he could do – hand himself in to the police."
"But he said he was too terrified, so I said if he wouldn’t call them, I would. He just nodded. So, I grabbed my phone and dialled 999," she added.
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"My son will have to live with this for the rest of his life," she concluded.
Bristol Crown Court heard that Charley was killed by Joshua after a fight broke out between two groups.
Charley suffered a stab wound to his chest and arm and was pronounced dead 30 minutes later.
Joshua was found guilty of murder on Tuesday, with him being sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years.