Mum says she has no regrets after turning killer teenage son in to police

A mum has admitted that she has no regrets after turning in her killer teenage son to the police.

Donna Delbono, 42, made the tough decision to turn in her 19-year-old son, Joshua Delbono, who stabbed Charley Bates in a pub car park in Radstock, Somerset, last July.

Charley was just 16 years old when he was stabbed to death over a £20 debt.

Avon and Somerset Police

Speaking to the Daily Mail, the mother-of seven explained what it was like making 'the hardest choice any parent will ever have to make'.

Donna from Frome, Somerset, told the outlet: "I was brought up to know the difference between right and wrong, and to always try to do the right thing in life, no matter how hard it is."

The woman went on to note that 'even though it was such a tough choice to make' she still has no regrets over it.

"I know I'd do the same again," she revealed.

"I couldn't have lived with myself if I'd chosen instead not to call the police," Donna added. "I feel terrible that Charley Bates lost his life and my sympathies go out to his family."

Donna's actual 999 call from that tragic day was played to the Bristol Crown Court as part of Joshua's two-week trial.

The jury heard the mother say: "My son's killed someone. It was at Radstock earlier. He's just come back and I've found out. He's in my house now but I can't let him go anywhere."

Donna Delbono

The 999 operator on the phone could be heard asking Donna if Joshua was aware that the call was playing out, to which she responded: "Yeah, he’s here. I’ve told him I’ve got to do it."

The distraught mother was alerted to the horrific news after coming home from a night out with friends by her daughter, Jade.

Jade had informed Donna of what Joshua had confided in her regarding the fatal incident which took place between himself and Charley.

She added: "Jade said he'd stabbed this boy, who he had never met before, then gone off to bed. I ran straight into his bedroom and turned on the light. Josh was asleep and I was shaking him awake, but when he came to he admitted everything."

Recalling the night, Donna revealed that her son was 'scared and didn't know what to do' upon which she made the difficult decision.

"I said there was only one thing he could do - hand himself in to the police," she continued.

Joshua, however, was 'too terrified' to do so.

Donna explained: "So I said if he wouldn't call them, I would. He just nodded. So I grabbed my phone and dialled 999."

"My son will have to live with this for the rest of his life," she concluded.

Joshua Delbono was sentenced to a minimum of 21 years in prison at Bristol Crown Court last Tuesday (11 April) for the murder of Charley Bates.