'Offensive' messages sent to parents of Norwich murder victim

Emma and Phil Dix were speaking after a teenager was convicted of a malicious communications offence for one particular post relating to their son, Joe, who was stabbed to death outside his flat in Mile Cross in January 2022 in a gang dispute.

The message - one of a number that were part of the ongoing rivalry - was written as if it was from Joe, and said: "Dad I'm sorry I wasn't meant for this road life. I got killed but I was fat and couldn't run".

Police at Vale Green after Joe Dix murder (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

Mrs Dix, 48, said it was one of a number they received in the weeks after his murder and "one of the hardest" to deal with.

She added: "It was only a few weeks after Joe's funeral.

"We're dealing with one massive thing and get hit with something else.

"That was just out of order."

Joe Dix (Image: Submitted)

She added: "I'm pleased it got taken to court. It shows it's not acceptable.

"We didn't expect him to get much of a punishment but the fact he had to go to court was enough."

Mrs Dix said they received similar messages from several people, including one girl.

"The police tell you that's what people do but people think it's acceptable - it's wrong," she added.

"You've always got it on the back of your mind."

The 17-year-old who sent the message - who was 15 at the time - cannot be named for legal reasons.

He appeared at Norwich Youth Court earlier this month where he admitted the malicious communications offence.

He was made the subject of a four month youth referral order, which aims to prevent re-offending by making youngsters aware of the impact of their crimes.

Cameron Palmer, Hans Beeharry and Benjamin Gil (Image: Norfolk Constabulary) Last October, Hans Beeharry, 20, Benjamin Gil, 19, and Cameron Palmer, 19, were jailed for more than 60 years after they were found guilty of Joe's murder, which followed a feud among county lines drugs gangs.

Phil and Emma, from Salhouse, have since set up the Joe Dix Foundation - a charity aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of knives and knife crime - in memory of their son.