Teenager sentenced for St Helens stabbing

A teenager who stabbed a 15-year-old boy to death in a row over his mother has been sentenced to five years' detention.

Matthew Briers, 18, of Hempstead Close, Thatto Heath, St Helens, stabbed John Marsh five times during the argument on the same street last November.

Briers had initially denied murder but later admitted manslaughter at a hearing at Liverpool Crown Court.

Mr Justice Burnett said there had been a "substantial degree of provocation".

The court heard how Briers, who was 17 at the time of the killing, had accused John Marsh of attacking his mother while he was at their home for a card game.

The 15-year-old returned to his grandmother's home next door with blood on his face, and later went with a group to challenge Briers, who produced a knife.

One of the wounds to the chest proved fatal.