A BLACKWOOD mum grieving her murdered partner has needed to take a DNA test to put his name on their baby daughter's birth certificate.

Natalie Preece, 28, was not married to the father of her three children Michael Lee Emmett, 29.

He died before he could meet their daughter Lola-Grace.

Mr Emmett, known to friends and family as Michaelee, was stabbed to death by drunken thug Connor Doughton, 16, after helping escort him safely back to his parents' home.

He was in a coma for 32 days before he died.

Miss Preece said she has been forced by the Government to take a DNA test to prove Mr Emmett is Lola-Grace's father.

Care support worker Miss Preece said: "I just want Lola-Grace to have her daddy recognised officially.

"She had to give a DNA sample which has now been positively matched with Mike's parents.

"Despite this I still have to go through a court hearing and there is still a blank space on her birth certificate were Mike's name should be.

"If we had been married his name would have been added automatically.

"It's frustrating and it has taken too long already, but I have to keep going.

"Michaelee was such a proud dad and it will mean so much to see his name where it belongs."

Lola-Grace will turn one on August 27 and Miss Preece hopes the "ridiculous bureaucracy" will be tied up in time for her first birthday.

Her mum will finally have to apply for a declaration of parentage at a civil court before his name can appear on his daughter's birth certificate.

A year ago today (Sat) Doughton stabbed Mr Emmett. The demolition worker had helped the drunken teen get home safely after seeing him be abusive to a woman outside a pub in Cefn Forest.

But when Emmett got him to his front door Doughton ran into the kitchen and grabbed a knife - before stabbing him three times.

A Home Office spokesman said: "It is important that all details on a birth certificate are recorded accurately.

"In the sad circumstances where one parent has died before the birth has been registered, we rely on a court to make a declaration of parentage after considering the relevant evidence.

"It is up to the court to decide whether this evidence should include DNA.”