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Tattoos are family's lasting tribute to Dartford shooting victim Kevin McKinley

By: Lizzie Massey

Published: 00:01, 31 August 2013

Older brother Christopher has a picture of Kevin on his chest

Grieving relatives of Dartford shooting victim Kevin McKinley have paid their own special tributes to him... with tattoos.

Shortly after the 32-year-old was killed, his mother Pauline Hayden had an image of a sleeping angel inked on her arm.

His dad Paul then had a chain circle put onto his arm and inside the circle is written: "Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same, but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again."

Brothers Christopher and Bryan, were also both tattooed in memory of their loved sibling.

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Christopher had a picture of Mr McKinley drawn on his chest, and Bryan a handprint on his back to signify Kevin's hand always being there in times of need.

The brothers' uncle Pat had a poem written on his thigh.

It begins: "If tears could build a stairway and memories were a lane, we would walk right up to heaven and bring you back again."

Three of Mr McKinley’s nephews also had tattoos drawn, all featuring crucifixes.

Ricky and Robert both have boxing gloves draped over their crosses, as Mr McKinley loved the sport, while his other nephew Jack has birds around his.

Uncle Pat has a poem written on his thigh
Dad Paul has a tattoo of a broken chain with words inside
Nephew Jack has birds around his cross
Brother Bryan has a handprint on his back. Kevin was always there for him
Oldest nephew Robert has a cross with boxing gloves
Kevin McKinley’s mum Pauline has a sleeping angel inked on her arm
Nephew Ricky has a similar tribute to Robert

Father-of-three Kevin McKinley was fatally wounded with a 12-bore shotgun by Michaela Sargeant in Merryweather Close, Dartford, on February 12.

Sargeant, 25, was cleared of murder but convicted of the manslaughter of Mr McKinley, of Louvain Road, Stone, outside her home in Overy Street, Dartford.

Dartford shooting victim Kevin McKinley
Michaela Sargeant has been jailed for eight years for killing Kevin McKinley in Dartford

Sargeant was sentenced to eight years in prison and will serve four, with the rest on licence.

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Her partner Lewis Wickenden, 26, was found guilty of assisting an offender but acquitted of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

He was sentenced to five years in jail.

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