AFTER six weeks of listening to horrific evidence a jury has reached a verdict nine-year-old Droitwich boy Alfie Steele was murdered. 

He should have been protected by his mother Carla Scott and her fiancee Dirk Howell. 

Attention has been on the defendant's accounts during the trial but at the heart of this case was a young boy taken away all too soon.

Alfie is not a forgotten victim.

He will live long in the memory for those who knew him during his tragically short life. 

Worcester News: REMEMBERED: Alfie SteeleREMEMBERED: Alfie Steele (Image: Supplied)

In the days after the death in February 2021 residents of the shocked community in Droitwich left flowers, candles, teddies, cards and balloons with handwritten messages of love and of grief on a table outside Alfie's home in Vashon Drive.

Readers of this paper also posted a blue heart emoji which, along with blue teddies, became a symbol for mourning Alfie.

Alfie’s grandad, Paul Scott said a few days after the death: “We are completely devastated by the loss of Alfie, he had a smile that would melt butter.

"He was intelligent and inquisitive, and was courageous like a lion; he was a good Christian boy who was full of God.

Worcester News: TRIBUTES: Tributes were left for Alfie Steele outside his homeTRIBUTES: Tributes were left for Alfie Steele outside his home (Image: SWNS)

“He would never shy away from anything and had no fear.

"He loved Worcester Warriors Rugby Club and I will always have my lovely memories of taking him to watch Arsenal matches."

Alfie was well-liked at the schools he attended.

READ MORE: Alfie Steele's school class take on marathon to promote happiness and kindness

READ MORE: Grandad pays tribute to Alfie Steele 

During the trial Anita Nicholson, a teaching assistant, said: "He was gorgeous.

"He used to come up and show me his work - he was so proud."

A few months after his death Alfie's Steele's 5GH class at Witton Middle School took part in a marathon to raise money and 'promote happiness and kindness'.

Greg Holloway, who taught Alfie, said at the time that while walking they would "Talk about Alfie and remember him."

"I wanted the class to have something positive to look back on," he said.

"We just think that everyone needs a bit of happiness and joy in their life at the moment and my class more than ever after the tragedy."