The builder murdered on Valentine’s day phoned his girlfriend to tell her he loved her just before he was attacked.

Jane Gater, 49, who had been with Mark Corcoran, 26, for nine years told a national newspaper his last words to her were “I loved you” and he told her he had bought her a Valentine’s Day card.

Mark Corcoran, from Shirley, collapsed from a single stab wound to the heart and died shortly after in a off-license in South Norwood.

Miss Gater said: “He was so happy and was pouring his heart out to me. He was laughing and sounded like he was having a great time. I wish I had never put down the phone. To think he was lying dead just minutes later tears me apart.

“It makes it even worse to think he was murdered on Valentine's Day, a day we should have been together. I now wish he had just spent the day with me and he would still be here now.”

She could not believe it was just a “tragic accident” and said: “Mark was not the kind of guy to annoy people on the street.

“He could be quite mild mannered and I can't help but think this was a premeditated attack by someone claiming to be his friends. I hope the police find the animals who did this to my Mark. He was a lovely guy who did not deserve to die at the age of 26.”

Yesterday police traced two witnesses who were in the off licence which Mr Corcoran staggered into to ask for help after he was stabbed.

They released CCTV stills of Mr Corcoran shortly before he collapsed in Subitha Food and wine and appealed for the people standing next to him at the counter to come forward.

A spokesman said: “We have now managed to trace the people in the second CCTV still who were stood at the counter, just before Mark collapsed. We are still seeking to trace the blond woman in her 20's and would like to speak to anyone who may have seen Mark on February 14.”

Police believe Mr Corcoran was stabbed within 100 yards of the shop and the blond woman may have seen something that will assist their investigation.

At 8.20pm on Sunday, February 14, police were called to Subitha Food and Wine shop in Whitehorse Lane, to reports of a man suffering from serious injuries.

Police and the ambulance service attended but Mr Corcoran was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem gave cause of death as a stab wound.

If anyone has information or may know the witnesses featured in the CCTV images they should call police on 020 8721 4961; if you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A man in his 40s was arrested on February 16. He was bailed to return to south London police station on a date in mid March.