Liam McGerrigan had been helping his friend with some DIY before the pair popped out to grab a pizza.

Little did his friend know that just minutes later he would watch on with horror as Liam died in his arms - the victim of a random, unprovoked and brutal stabbing.

The 27-year-old had been knifed in the chest in a church car park in Coventry, before staggering with the last of his energy to his pal’s house nearby.

Paramedics and police tried to save Liam’s life, but their efforts proved unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Today his attacker, Joseph Johnson, 25, was jailed for life for the motiveless murder.

The evening of June 9 had begun with Liam visiting the home of Aidan Cahill in Holyhead Road, in Coundon, and after grabbing some food, they made their way to Mr Cahill’s car in the nearby Unitarian Church car park at around 10pm.

Liam McGerrigan
Liam McGerrigan

It was there that they encountered Johnson, who was armed with a knife and a hammer.

Liam, described as a kind and happy young man, was stabbed in the chest and blood immediately began to flow from the wound.

He stumbled out of the car park and made it to Mr Cahill’s house. Sadly, there was nothing that could be done to save him.

In the aftermath of Liam’s death, flowers and tributes were left at the scene in Holyhead Road.

One message read: ‘Can’t believe you’re gone. My thoughts and prayers are with your family today and forever. I’m heartbroken and will never forget you’.

Another simply said: ‘Taken from us too soon. Such a beautiful person inside and out’.

Johnson, 25, of no fixed address, fled the city after the attack but was eventually arrested by police in Devon a few days later.

Another man - Michael Bullingham - was also arrested in connection with the incident and both were charged with murder.

The trial began in November at Birmingham Crown Court, but faced delays after the initial jury was discharged just one day in to proceedings following an issue with one of the jurors.

A new jury was sworn in and the evidence then began.

While opening the case, John Butterfield QC told the jury that Johnson had “had violence in mind” on the fateful night.

He told the court: “Liam McGerrigan, whether the instinct to run didn’t kick in or he thought he could talk his way out of the situation, stayed in the car park.

“Johnson approached him and attacked him. He tried to protect himself but was unarmed and was faced by a man armed twice over.

“Johnson stabbed him in the chest – a wound that would prove fatal. The knife entered the upper right of his chest.

“He was to bleed to death.”

The jury were also told that the weapons involved in Liam’s death were dumped in a duck pond in Meriden on the same night.

Evidence was given over a period of five weeks and, after two days of deliberation, the jury found Johnson guilty of murder.

He was sentenced to 25 years and another four years and eight months for a separate offence of wounding with intent and 18 months for having an offensive weapon.

Those sentences will run concurrently meaning Johnson will serve a total of 25 years.

Bullingham, 33, of Banner Lane, Tile Hill, was found not guilty of murder.

Speaking after this week’s verdicts, Detective Inspector Shaun Egan, from West Midlands Police’s homicide team, said: “Liam has been described as being a happy, kind and sensitive person who was always willing to help out his friends.

“In fact on the night he died he was visiting his friend to help with some DIY.

“Johnson was intent on violence that night and had been driving around the area where he had armed himself with a knife and hammer.

“The motive for that attack will always remain unclear and this is a tragic case.

“We hope that the result gives some comfort to Liam’s family and friends who continue to come to terms with the tragic loss of their loved one.”