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Two teenagers involved in the murder of 18-year-old Eddie O'Rourke were today jailed for a total of at least 23 years.

The young Runcorn man was knifed by love rival Joe Ward after they had previously clashed over a girl.

Ward, convicted of murder, was handed a large "Pirates of the Caribbean" knife with a 12-inch blade by his 15-year-old pal, who was cleared of murder, but convicted of manslaughter.

Ward was given a life term, and will have to serve a minimum of 16 before he can even be considered for parole.

His younger friend, who was handed seven years, will serve at least half his sentence, but could be released on licence to see out the remainder of his punishment back in the community.

The killing took place at a young woman's 18th birthday party at the Royal British Legion in Runcorn, on the evening of September 7, last year.

It has emerged Eddie and Ward had regularly clashed over a girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Under cross-examination, the killer admitted he became "obsessed" with her.

He said he "weren't happy" when he found out she and Eddie were texting, which led to an "arranged fight" in Halton Brook on August 12, 2017.

Jurors were shown up close the murder weapon which sliced into Eddie's abdomen, cutting through one of the main arteries which supplies blood to the lower limbs.

That caused severe and fatal internal bleeding and quickly led to the 18-year-old's tragic death.

The trial heard how on the fatal night, Eddie gestured to Ward as if to say "I’ll see you outside" to take part in a presumed "no weapons" straightener.

But Ward, who had initially walked out with Eddie, ran back inside the club where his 15-year-old accomplice passed him a knife with a 12-inch long blade.

The killer sobbed in court as a jury took 22 hours of deliberations to find him guilty by a 10 -1 majority.

Detective Inspector Adam Waller, who led Cheshire Constabulary’s investigation into the fatal stabbing, said: “A team of officers from the force’s Major Investigation Team have worked tirelessly and spent months piecing together the case.

“This included gathering vital evidence, speaking to numerous witnesses, viewing hours of CCTV footage and carrying out forensic enquiries.

“I would like to thank the members of the community who provided evidence to the police and acted as witnesses in the investigation.

"They played a vital role in securing the convictions and I cannot commend them enough for the bravery they have shown in testifying in such a high profile case for the Runcorn community.

“Our thoughts remain with Eddie’s family and friends as they continue to come to terms with their devastating loss.

“While his loved ones have been left heartbroken by his death, the Runcorn community as a whole have been left deeply shocked by what happened outside the Royal British Legion that night.

“...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."