THE PARENTS and grandparents of Newport-born Angela Steer, murdered in her adopted home of Can-ada, are putting their lives back together with the help of a new arrival in the family.

Alan and Marie Hood, who emigrated to Canada from Bettws in 1975, are delighted at becoming great-grandparents with the arrival of baby Alyssa Angela Steer.

Alyssa, born to Angela's son Steven and his partner Angela, would have been Angela Steer's first grandchild.

The 37-year-old mother of two was brutally murdered at her home in Canada in April 2001. Her killer, William Wade Bicknell, 34, was sentenced to life for the murder in October last year.

Angela's father Alan Hood, back home in Newport for his father John's 90th birthday, told the Argus the birth of his great-granddaughter would help the family get back on their feet after three terrible years.

"It is a very bittersweet time for the family," said Alan.

"Alyssa would have been my daughter's first granddaughter, and she really wanted grandchildren - that was all she talked about. So it is a time of great joy but there is a bit of sadness."

Alan and Marie endured an agonising two and a half year wait for Bicknell's trial in the Canadian courts.

"The court case was very traumatic for all of us," said Alan. "It was very long and drawn out. It just destroyed us, we went through hell for so long. And we have a very large family still here in Newport so it was a very difficult time for them as well."

As the case dragged on Alan and Marie considered returning to Newport for good.

"At one time it all became so much we seriously thought about moving back here to retire. But now with this new family member it gives us the incentive to stay in Canada and rebuild our lives."

Alyssa arrived in April.

Alan said: "We are concentrating on the baby now and trying to get back to normality. She's our little treasure. We will spend as much time with them as we can."

Alan's parents, John and Clarice, still live in Pill, and were delighted to see the first pictures of their great-great grand-daughter.

"She's wonderful," said John. Our family has been through such a lot recently. This has been the worst few years of our lives.

"But Alyssa is wonderful. We are all very happy."