Grieving mourners at the funeral of a "gentle giant" whose addiction to drugs blighted his life were told to come together and help other users to kick their habit as a tribute to his memory.

More than 70 people gathered at York Crematorium for a memorial service for Kevin Mulgrew, 38, who was violently killed in an attack at a York council bedsit last December.

Family and friends heard that the father-of-three was a drug user but also a devoted family man who loved to play with his three young boys, Jake, David, and Liam.

Canon Patrick Harney, parish priest at St Joseph's Church, in Burdyke Lane, Clifton, said some of Kevin's friends attending the service may share his drug habit.

He said: "I humbly suggest to you, his friends, that you can do something beautiful to honour Kevin, something that will bring hope and happiness in to your lives and in to the lives of those you love.

"As a meaningful tribute to your friend, why not come together to kick the habit? You have it in your power to make some good come from this tragic death. Kevin will not have died in vain."

Canon Harney also read a tribute on behalf of Kevin's sister, Donna Mulgrew, of Chapelfields, who said he was a "gentle giant" and a "child at heart".

She said: "I remember Kevin in my mum's dining room and a jelly fight had developed. Even though mum had tipped a bowl of jelly over his head, he never stopped laughing.

"He had the kind of laugh that was infectious and when he had started it was hard not to join in. That is the Kevin we will remember, as part of our family.

"He had a love for life and a greater love for his children. He was always rolling about on the floor playing with them. He had a very kind and caring side.

"He had another side that was vulnerable to drugs. Not only was he a victim in his death but also in his life. He was controlled by a habit he did not know how to break, but not through lack of trying."

A collection was taken for Compass, the York charity that offers support to drug users. Mourners sang The Lord's My Shepherd and listened to music by Dido.

Mr Mulgrew's body was found alongside that of his friend, Daniel Wall, 27, in Gillygate by police officers responding to a complaint from neighbours. Both men had suffered terrible head injuries.

Mr Wall's funeral took place at York Crematorium on Monday. The Evening Press attended yesterday's service at the invitation of Mr Mulgrew's wife, Paula.

Updated: 10:39 Wednesday, February 25, 2004