The family of a pizza delivery driver who worked 60 hours a week have spoken of their loss after his killers were jailed.

Thavisha Lakindu Peiris, 25, was working his last ever shift for Domino's Pizza when he was stabbed to death by Kasim Ahmed.

Ahmed was on bail after breaching the conditions of a court sentence for a previous street robbery when he committed the murder, a judge was told.

Ahmed, now 18, admitted Mr Peiris's murder and was given a life sentence at Sheffield Crown Court, along with his accomplice and cousin, Shamraze Khan, 26, who was found guilty of murder by a jury.

The family released a statement. It said, "We are now left with nothing but broken hearts."

The judge said the statement went on to describe how the family had invested their entire retirement savings into their son's education and this is what he was working to restore.

Now, the judge said, his parents were left with no retirement income.

The judge gave them both life sentences.

He said he accepted it was Ahmed who wielded the knife and told him that his minimum term of 23 years would have been considerably longer if he had been an adult at the time of the killing.

The judge said father-of-four Khan was a "secondary party" but pointed out he was the older and more mature of the two killers.

Earlier, Robert Smith QC, prosecuting, explained how Ahmed was on bail at the time of the killing of Mr Peiris as he was due to be resentenced for failing to complete the terms of detention and training order given in respect of robberies and possessing a knife.

He had been remanded in custody because of this breach and only released on bail eight days before he killed Mr Peiris.

Mr Smith said Ahmed's record included convictions for possessing an offensive weapon, attempted robbery and robbery.

After today's hearing, Mr Peiris's family issued a statement which said: "We are still devastated and heartbroken over the loss of Thavisha and we are still unable to comprehend that he is actually gone.

"He gave us so many reasons to smile and was so caring and loving. All we have left are our memories, but they will never fill the void in our hearts. He will never again be with us and we will never hear his voice again.

"We sent our son to the UK to study so he could have a better life. We never thought he would be in any danger. The way in which he was taken from us is absolutely devastating, we cannot understand why anyone would do this to another human being and it fills us with such sadness."

The statement said: "While it doesn't bring our beloved Thavisha back, we now have some form of solace knowing they will be held to account for what they have done and they will be going to prison.

"We also want to offer our thanks to the public and the media for all of their kind words and support, it means so much to us knowing people cared about Thavisha and wanted to help find those responsible for his death. We cannot thank everyone enough.

"We would never want another family to go through such a tragic loss and endure the pain that we feel. Thavisha was the centre of our world and we will never get over losing him."

Detective Superintendant Lisa Ray, who lead the investigation, said: "Thavisha was a bright, intelligent and caring man who had worked hard to develop his career in Sheffield. His murder was an absolute tragedy and has caused untold grief for his mother, father and brother and for his many friends in Sri Lanka and in Sheffield.

"I would like to praise the family for the way they have conducted themselves in an extremely dignified way and for the way they have supported the investigation.

"Whilst nothing can fill the void or replace the loss of Thavisha, I hope his family can take some comfort knowing that justice has been served."

James Scott, district crown prosecutor, CPS Yorkshire and Humberside said: "Thavisha Peiris was a gentle and loving young man. He was working his last shift as a delivery driver in Sheffield before starting a new 'dream job' when his life was senselessly and brutally cut short, the victim of a frenzied knife attack. The loss of Thavisha has left his family and friends devastated."

Mr Scott said: "These two defendants will now be serving a total of 47 years in prison between them. We hope that this result brings some comfort to Thavisha's family and friends."