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Pair jailed for 'savage' murder Murdered teenager choked on blood
(40 minutes later)
Two men have been jailed for killing an 18-year-old girl who was stabbed in a frenzied attack in a Lancashire park. Two men have been jailed for the frenzied stabbing of a teenage girl, who they left to choke to death on her own blood in a Lancashire park.
Louise Evans, 18, suffered 39 head and neck injuries in the assault in Towneley Park, Burnley, in July 2009. Louse Evans, 18, who had Asperger's syndrome, was stabbed so hard in the attack in Burnley that the knife broke in two, Preston Crown Court heard.
Anthony Wood, 21, of Elizabeth Street, Burnley, was found guilty after a trial at Preston Crown Court. He was jailed for at least 22 years and 183 days. Anthony Wood, 21, from Burnley, was found guilty of murder and jailed for at least 22 years and 183 days.
Matthew Maw, 18, also of Elizabeth Street, admitted murder and must serve 18 years and 63 days. Matthew Maw, 18, admitted murder and must serve 18 years and 63 days.
During Wood's trial the court heard the pair had lived with the victim for a short time at a hostel for the homeless in the town. Their teenage victim suffered 39 head and neck injuries in the assault in Towneley Park in July 2009.
They were part of a group of youngsters who had been on a drinking session the evening before the attack. Slashed throat
Her killers, who had befriended her at a homeless hostel they all shared in the town, led her to a secluded spot by a disused bandstand and "brutally" attacked her, the court heard.
Ms Evans' throat was slashed and she was repeatedly bludgeoned with a branch.
Louise Evans was stabbed and beatenLouise Evans was stabbed and beaten
Wood lured Ms Evans to the park and Maw then attacked her. On sentencing, Judge Anthony Russell QC told the court that Maw, also from Burnley, had inflicted most of the physical violence but Wood had persuaded him to do his "dirty work" for him.
He used a knife with such force that the handle broke off and the blade was left embedded in her chest. He also attacked her with a piece of wood. He told the them: "You were prepared to go beyond all basic moral boundaries and act in a fashion referred to as feral violence - completely wild behaviour inflicted on a vulnerable victim for no reason at all.
Ms Evans, from Haslingden, had Asperger's syndrome and was living in the hostel because she wanted to be independent, her adopted parents said in a statement read to the court.
She had complex needs but was "special" and "loved dearly," Louise and Jeff Evans said.
'Feral violence'
"We are lost and empty and in disbelief that somebody could do this," they said.
"There is a void in our lives that will never be filled."
Matthew Maw admitted murder
Judge Anthony Russell QC said Maw had inflicted most of the physical violence, but Wood persuaded him to do his "dirty work" for him.
"The facts of this case are truly shocking in that they reflect that some people are prepared to go beyond all basic moral boundaries and act in a fashion referred to as feral violence - completely wild behaviour inflicted on a vulnerable victim for no reason at all.
"The sanctity of human life appears to mean nothing to you. This was a savage attack, carried out relentlessly."The sanctity of human life appears to mean nothing to you. This was a savage attack, carried out relentlessly.
'Loved dearly'
"Louise must have suffered terribly because she did not die instantaneously."Louise must have suffered terribly because she did not die instantaneously.
"The only word that even begins to describe your conduct is 'wicked'," he said. "The only word that even begins to describe your conduct is 'wicked'."
They had been part of a group of youngsters who had been on a drinking session the evening before the attack.
Matthew Maw admitted murder
Ms Evans, from Haslingden, been living in the hostel because she wanted to be independent, her adopted parents said in a statement read to the court.
She had complex needs but was "special" and "loved dearly," Louise and Jeff Evans said.
"We are lost and empty and in disbelief that somebody could do this.
"There is a void in our lives that will never be filled."
Speaking after the case, Det Insp Paul Broxson, from Lancashire Police, said his thoughts were with Ms Evans' family, who had lost their daughter in "such tragic circumstances."
He said: "I am very pleased with the sentence which reflects the horrific and sustained nature of this attack.
"As for Maw and Wood, this was a particularly brutal and cowardly assault, planned and carried out together, and they fully deserve their sentence."