THE family of an elderly Wirral antique dealer murdered after challenging swearing yobs said his killer had "stolen his life."

Michael Corney spoke emotionally of his father Alan, 67, who died at the start of February, for "standing up for what was right."

The pensioner was headbutted in front of his wife Norma on the picturesque Parade, in Parkgate, on November 14.

He collapsed three weeks later and underwent brain surgery which he never recovered from.

Mr Corney, a former plant manager at Unilever in Port Sunlight, died three months after the assault and detectives launched an immediate murder enquiry.

Smartly-dressed son Michael broke down as he described his father as a "proud man with strong moral and family values."

Mr Corney had recently bought a house overlooking the marshes in Parkgate after selling his Neston home to legendary Liverpool singer Gerry Marsden.

He was looking forward to a long retirement in the sleepy Cheshire village after bringing an end to his antique business.

Michael said: "My father never regained full consciousness for over two months before he died. We didn’t have the opportunity to say goodbye.

"We didn’t have a final family Christmas together. We are only just beginning to come to terms with his death.

"Those who are responsible for the murder of my father - a kind loving family man - will never realise what they have taken from us.

"My father put my sister and I on the right path in life. My father’s life was stolen from him that night - for doing nothing more than standing up for what was right.

"I know that someone out there knows what happened that night and knows who attacked my father - just minutes from his home in the quiet village which he loved and hoped to spend a long happy retirement.

"That will never happen. My mother will spend the rest of her life alone. My only hope is that by identifying those responsible, no other wife, son or daughter will be put through the grief we have experienced over the last few months, and will continue to for the rest of our lives.

"I ask for those who know what happened that night last November to do the right thing and contact the police.