Rebecca Aylward murder: Joshua Davies given 14 years Published duration 2 September 2011

image caption Joshua Davies lured Rebecca Aylward into woods before killing her

A 16-year-old boy who battered his former girlfriend to death has been jailed for a minimum of 14 years.

Joshua Davies lured Rebecca Aylward, 15, from Maesteg, into a wood in Aberkenfig, near Bridgend, in 2010.

Davies, who denied murder, was told by the Swansea Crown Court judge: "You killed her because of a deep-seated hatred."

Rebecca's mother Sonia Oatley welcomed the sentence but said Davies deserved the death penalty.

The teenager was impassive as the sentence was handed down and there was no reaction from his family.

Davies was given an indeterminate sentence. He will have to serve a minimum of 13 years 53 days, which takes into account time already spent in custody, before he is considered for parole.

Speaking outside court, Ms Oatley said: "Joshua Davies robbed us of our perfect little girl.

'Justice served'

media caption Rebecca's mother, Sonia Oatley: "Today, justice has been served"

"We will never forgive him for tearing our family apart so brutally and would welcome a return of capital punishment for the likes of Joshua Davies who forfeited his human rights when he chose to take my daughter's life."

She said Rebecca dreamed of becoming a barrister, a dream "erased" by Davies, "a young man she trusted and loved".

"Rebecca believed in the justice system and today justice has been served.

"The evil-doer Joshua Davies robbed us of watching our precious and perfect little girl flourish into a successful young woman.

She described her daughter as "a promising student, a wonderful friend but, most importantly, a loved and loving daughter and sister".

'Devious, calculating and controlling'

"There is no doubt in my mind that Rebecca was destined for great things," she said.

Davies had blamed his friend for the killing but was convicted by a 10-2 majority verdict in July.

Sentencing, judge Mr Justice Lloyd Jones told him that Rebecca's death had left a "permanent shadow" over her family.

He called Davies "devious, calculating and controlling" and told him that he had shown no remorse.

In mitigation, his barrister Peter Rouch QC, began by saying that Davies still did not acknowledge his guilt.

image caption Rebecca Aylward's body was found the day after she was reported missing

He told the court that he maintained the same version of events he had told the jury, that his best friend was the real killer.

'Ruinous'

He added that a psychological report showed nothing in his mental make-up which contributed to the offence.

He said he was of previous good character and young. He said it had been "ruinous" for Rebecca's family but had also had a "catastrophic" effect on Davies' family and friends.

The court previously heard Davies sometimes hated Rebecca and a friend offered to buy him breakfast after suggesting that he "get rid of her".

The jury was told during the four-week trial that she died of head injuries caused by a rock, and was found still wearing new clothes bought for her the day before she died.

Rebecca's body was found face down in woodland the day after she was reported missing last October.