Birthday killer jailed for life

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A teenager has been jailed for life for killing a boy who was celebrating his 16th birthday and passing his GCSEs.

Lee Firman, 19, fatally stabbed Glen Corner, of Wakefield Avenue, South Shields, Tyneside, in August 2006.

Firman, of Thornholme Avenue in the town, then shouted "let him die" as Glen's friends tried to save him. Glen later died in hospital.

The killer, who earlier admitted murder, was told he must serve 16 years before being considered for parole.

He always had to prove he was toughest in order to mask his inadequacies Paul Sloan, defending

On Tuesday, Newcastle Crown Court heard that Firman stabbed Glen in the stomach after the 16-year-old intervened to save his friend who was being threatened with a knife.

The defendant, who had been drinking and smoking cannabis before the attack, thought he had been shown up by another friend of Glen's and was looking to "save face".

The court heard that, as the teenager's friends tried to save his life, Firman climbed on to a nearby shed and shouted: "Let him die, let him die, let him die."

Paul Sloan QC, defending, said Firman had suffered from early childhood low self-esteem and on the night of Glen's death he had been humiliated.

He said: "He always had to prove he was toughest in order to mask his inadequacies.

Mr Corner's family have set up a trust for victims of similar crimes

"His behaviour at the scene, as he freely acknowledges, was utterly reprehensible. His actions are in keeping with him keeping up appearances of being a hard man."

Glen's family and friends have set up the Glen Corner Trust which will provide victim support to families who find themselves in a similar position.

His mother, Suzanne Hilton, said: "No-one should have to go through losing a loved one in such a horrible way.

"If my experience can help anyone else come to terms with such devastating events then that is my motivation."

Jailing Firman for life, Judge David Hodson said the case was another example of the dangers of carrying knives on the street.