Family and friends of Patrick Dawkins walked out of court today when a judge began reading a statement from the mum of Tracy Ann Meade.

Dawkins, 21, of Sylvan Road, Upper Norwood, was jailed for three years at Croydon Court Crown for perverting the course of justice.

He was found guilty in December of hiding information from police about the murder of Ms Meade in May 2006.

Dawkins was also said to have broken into Ms Meade's home on the day she was killed and removed items.

He denied the allegations.

Dawkins' girlfriend Kelly Ross, who was 16 at the time of the offence, was found guilty of stabbing Ms Meade to death last year and jailed for life.

Dawkins had been in a relationship with both women.

During the sentencing hearing Judge Warwick McKinnon read a message from Tracy's mum, Irene Ford, which said: "I very much want to move on and make the best of what has been a living hell, losing my daughter.

"I would like to say thank you to counsel who prosecuted Kelly Ross and Patrick Dawkins."

There were several mumbled comments from the public gallery before a number of Dawkins' family and friends got up and walked out of court.

Judge McKinnon continued with the letter which went on: "I would especially like to acknowledge the diligence of the detectives who so tirelessly worked on both investigations.

"I sat through the entire trial of Patrick Dawkins. I was overwhelmed by the energy and precision of the investigating team."

It added: "It is only through tragedy that one can appreciate how hard the police work and so rarely are thanked and, most importantly, acknowledged."

Mrs Ford singled out police officers Anna Renew, Christopher Edwards, Paul Speer, David Snowdon, Noel McHugh and Anna Hotowska for particular praise.

And there was praise for Crown Prosecution Service counsel Jane Carpenter who ran the trial.

Judge McKinnon said the police officers named would be commended.

Earlier, he had told Dawkins that his previous convictions made him a "somewhat lawless individual".

Defending, Simon Stirling said Dawkins was ashamed and regretted what he had done.

Mrs Ford was escorted out of court after the hearing to avoid contact with Dawkins' group.