THE teenagers found guilty of killing an 18-year-old man in Runcorn have been sentenced to a minimum total of 23 years behind bars.

Joe Ward, 18, and a 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Runcorn resident Eddie O’Rourke who was stabbed at the Royal British Legion in Halton Village on September 7.

Ward, of Lockfield was convicted of the offence plus the possession of an offensive weapon, on Friday, April 5 following a five-week trial at Liverpool Crown Court and the 15-year-old boy was found guilty of manslaughter.

The teenagers returned to Liverpool Crown Court for sentencing today, Friday.

Ward was given a custodial sentence and will serve a minimum of 16 years.

The 15-year-old boy was handed a seven-year custodial sentence to be served at a young offenders’ institute.

Addressing Ward, Lord Justice King said: “My firm conclusion is that you did not act with any degree of self-defence. You intentionally went outside to have a fight of some sort.

“You are an intelligent young man with a previously good character who is described as being extremely remorseful, which I accept.

“The real tragedy is what happened to Eddie O’Rourke – and there is no justification for that. No words of mine can convey the effect that has had on his family.”

Addressing the 15-year-old boy, Lord Justice King said: “I accept that you are remorseful and have no previous convictions, and it is clear that you are an intelligent boy who should have never got himself into this position.

“The fearsome knife you were carrying has brought devastation to the family of Eddie O’Rourke.

“If you were an adult your sentence would have been much longer. It is only your age that has prevented me from passing such a sentence.”

The court heard that Eddie’s death was the tragic result of a long-running feud with Ward.

This centred around a girl and the hostility between the pair escalated when they saw each other at a birthday party in September.

Eddie had gestured to the then 17-year-old Ward to come outside and Ward did so after he was handed a large knife with a 12 inch blade by the 15-year-old.

They then went outside together, at which point Ward stabbed Eddie with the knife in the abdomen and he died later that night.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that Ward had stabbed Eddie with a knife before, in the arm in August 2017, and that prior to his death the offender had sent messages to others in which he made threats to ‘cut’ him.

The jury was also told that on the week of the stabbing the 15-year-old bought a machete on the internet, a different weapon to the one used to kill Eddie.

Ward claimed that he acted in self-defence in fatally stabbing Eddie while the 15-year-old pleaded not guilty to murder.

Detective Inspector Adam Waller, who led Cheshire Constabulary’s investigation into the fatal stabbing, said: “For an 18-year-old man to have his life ended by the senseless actions of who were then 17 and 15-year-old boys is tragic in every sense of the word.

“It is also the ultimate example of why people shouldn’t carry knives.

“Not only has a young man died but three families have been ruined as a result of a knife being carried and used that night.”

Following the verdicts, Eddie’s mum Jayne White said: “There will never be words to describe the impact Eddie’s death has had on my family. I am a mother without her son and his three sisters and two brothers are without their older brother.

“The best thing in our lives has been taken away from us and my family have been left in turmoil.

“Eddie was not only my son but my best friend. Life without him starts now with the ultimate realisation that he will never walk through the door of his loving home again.

“The police investigation into Eddie’s death has been brilliant. They worked so hard in preparation for the court case and have been there for me with anything I have needed.

“I would especially like to thank Nigel Power QC and DI Adam Waller and all of his team, particularly Detective Constable Amanda Antrobus, our Family Liaison Officer.

“We need to get knives off our streets. My kids and I intend to do whatever we can to support the police and our community in this regard. We need a combined approach against the impact of knife crime and we all need to take responsibility.

“We as parents need to make sure that we know what our children are doing and what they are carrying around with them.

“There is never a positive outcome to knife crime, which can have life changing consequences for everyone involved.”