The dock stood empty in court after Crowder, despite having travelled on a prison bus from jail, refused to come up from the cells and face gathered members of Mr Cox’s family. She said that Mr Cox, after his struggles with addiction, brought on by the death of a close friend, was "not the man that we knew." Ashley Crowder (Image: GMP)She added: "His true and unique personality and character can never be replaced." A statement from Mr Cox’s father, Robert Cox, read by Mr Chawla said: "Graham was so happy and so determined to do the best for his little family" before his struggles. He said the prosecution overstated their case to say the abuse of Mr Cox "can only be for the defendant’s gratification."