A "one in a million" nan whose smile would "light up a room" went on holiday with her family but never made it home after she was in an incident that "never should have taken place".

Jillian Hughes, 57, had travelled to the Isle of Man earlier this year for a , arriving on Friday, March 29, after travelling from Merseyside. The mum and grandma was following what police said was an "altercation" outside the Palace Hotel on Central Promenade, and later died from her injuries.

She was hit by her partner, 53-year-old John Meadows, who has since been for five years following the attack. Her heartbroken family have issued a statement saying they can "never come to terms" with her death, adding they have been left "living a complete nightmare".

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In a heartfelt statement, the Hughes family said: "Our Jill was one in a million. She was such a happy, sarcastic, hardworking and passionate person. Jill came to the Isle of Man for the Easter Holiday over the weekend, the first night ended in tragedy. We want everyone to know that Jill was a well-respected mum of three to Chantelle, Sarah and Megan; also nan to Billy, Georgie and Maiya.

"Jill was a true diamond who thrived for life. She was liked and loved everywhere she went, her huge smile would light up a room." The family added in its statement that the killing "should never have taken place", and thanked police and hospital staff for caring for Jill and working the manslaughter case.

They continued: "We as a family will never ever be able to come to terms with what has happened, we are all living a complete nightmare. This killing should never have taken place. Jill’s mum, dad and family would like to thank Det Supt Steve Maddocks, Det Con Stephanie Leece and the Isle of Man Constabulary for all your work and dedication to get justice for our Jill.

"Also, Nobles Hospital and Ian for looking after Jill whilst we were waiting for her to be released to come home to Liverpool. Thank you also to all those that came forward in the help to get justice for our Jill, we can’t thank you all enough. Thank you to everyone for the kind wishes and support during this difficult time. Shine bright our Jill. Thank you, The Hughes Family."

Meadows, of Verney Crescent in Allerton, was jailed for five years and eight months after pleading guilty to manslaughter at an Isle of Man court.