THE mother of a young man murdered in Southampton today made an emotional appeal for his killer to be brought to justice.

Devastated Gwen Adamson spoke out nearly two weeks after her son Devon was stabbed through the heart in broad daylight in the inner city area.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo from her home in Kingston, Jamaica, Ms Adamson said: "It has been a very bad shock.

"Things are very bad. I couldn't believe it when I had a phone-call to say my son was dead. Now I want the person who did this to be caught."

Devon Anthony Adamson, who grew up in Kingston, had been visiting friends in Britain at the time of his death.

A welder by trade, he had a four-year-old son from a previous relationship and was due to become a father for a second time later this year.

Murder squad detectives said he was one of several young black men involved in a dispute in the Newtown and Nicholstown area of Southampton on Tuesday, September 4.

The 23-year-old staggered through the streets bleeding from a stab wound to his chest. He made it to the Royal South Hants Hospital - which has no casualty department - just after 5pm.

There he collapsed in a corridor and all attempts by staff to resuscitate him were in vain.

Devon's death prompted Hampshire police to launch a murder hunt involving around 50 officers.

Police have carried out armed raids on Southampton homes in connection with the inquiry but as yet no-one has been arrested and the murder weapon has not been recovered.

Last week officers stopped 1,000 motorists and pedestrians around the Newtown and Nicholstown area in a bid to trace more witnesses.

Posters featuring Devon's photograph have gone up throughout the city centre.

Today Ms Adamson, who lives alone in Kingston, paid tribute to her only son, who she last saw in early July before he left for Britain.

"Devon was a loving son. He was okay, no problem at all," she said.

"I feel very bad about what has happened.

"The last time I spoke to him was when he called me on Friday August 24. He had gone to visit a friend in England but I did not know when he was coming back."

Devon had lived with his mother in Kingston but also spent time at his girlfriend's home.

After attending Catholic schools in Jamaica, he had trained as a welder and was in work before leaving for England. His loved ones hope he can eventually be buried in Jamaica.

The murder hunt has been codenamed Operation Georgian. Chief Insp Bob Duncan is head of the operation. His officers have been in contact with Devon's mother in Kingston.

"We always have a family liaison officer assigned to keep the family updated of our progress," he said. "Obviously it is difficult in this case because of the distances involved but we have managed to speak to Devon's mother and have passed on our condolences."

Police today renewed an appeal for anyone who witnessed a disturbance in Exmoor Road, Newtown, around 4.45pm on Tuesday September 4, to come forward.

l Contact the Operation Georgian squad on 0845 045 4545 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.