The killer of popular teenager Rhyan Wilson wept and said sorry to his victim’s relatives from the dock in the moments after he was sentenced to life in jail.

Rhyan, 18, died after Friday night fighting turned suburban Urmston town centre into the ‘Wild West’, his killer’s lawyer told Manchester Crown Court.

A feud between two young women triggered a brawl between Rhyan and his pal Kane McIntosh on one side, and Dannall Dunkley, 36, on the other, in the early hours of August 16.

‘Under attack and outnumbered’ Dunkley stabbed both men in ‘excessive self-defence’ sentencing judge David Stockdale QC said, killing Rhyan and seriously injuring Mr McIntosh.

Friends of Rhyan Wilson lay flowers in his memory in Urmston

Rhyan, from Stretford, was fatally wounded to the heart and lungs after Dunkley stabbed him nine times, five of the injuries caused by ‘severe force’.

The teenager was well-liked and his death left family and friends devastated. Among the many who tweeted tributes was former Man United player Ravel Morrison.

Dunkley, of Thompson Road, Gorton has now been jailed for life and told he must serve a minimum of 15 years and nine months before he can apply for parole.

Before going down to the cells he put his hand on his heart, bowed his head, and apologised for his crime in a voice choked with emotion.

“Can I just say...to the family of Rhyan, I’m truly sorry for what I have done. I’m sorry for the pain and heartache that I have caused you”, he said.

Judge Stockdale QC, sentencing, said Rhyan’s associate Kane McIntosh had been ‘looking for trouble’ that night and had attacked revellers near Chadwick’s and the Ivory bar.

Later on his girlfriend, Curbie Dunlop, attacked a young woman called Hebe McLaren, who she had been feuding with.

Hebe’s sister Donna and her partner Dannall Dunkley went to the scene to collect her. He had a knife he had taken to carrying after being assaulted by men in Umston while collecting her on another occasion.

He said ‘do you want me to stab yous’ to Mr McIntosh, Miss Dunlop and Rhyan Wilson, and his girlfriend Donna was then beaten by McIntosh and Dunlop.

WATCH: Police press conference after Rhyan Wilson's murder

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Dunkley retreated to his car, where Rhyan bottled him and grappled with him, before Mr McIntosh jumped on top throwing punches.

Describing the fatal attack, Stephen Meadowcroft QC said: “The defendant had a knife with him, was frightened, tried to fend them off. The result of that was the tragic end to this case and the death of Rhyan Wilson. This is not a coldhearted killer.”