The mum of a teenager who was stabbed to death in Sunderland in 2019 has spoken out following the sentencing of Jack Woodley’s killers.

Connor Brown was brutally killed when he received five stab wounds during an altercation over a £5 note in Sunderland on February 24, 2019.

In a December 2019 trial Leighton Barras, 20, was found guilty of murder by a jury and co-accused Ally Gordon was found guilty of manslaughter.

Read more: Jack Woodley murder: Ten teens are JAILED for minimum of 124 years

Now his mum Tanya has set up the Connor Brown Trust in his honour and has spoken out following the sentencing of Jack Woodley’s teenage killers to a total of 124 years between them.

She told The Northern Echo: “Jack’s mum reached out to me in the first few days after his death as and I have been trying to support her through every step.

“When I received the sentences for two of Connor’s killers you realise that it’s never going to be enough and I explained that to Jack’s mum to try and prepare her for Friday.

“They’re young and the legal system is never going to be as harsh on them as you want.

To get more stories direct to your email basket go here

“Some of the youngest ones who are just fifteen could be out in ten years and get to have great jobs and families, but that’s been taken away from Jack and Connor and you know you’ll still be grieving by then.”

Since her son’s tragic death Tanya has set up the Connor Brown Trust in her son’s memory.

The Northern Echo: Connor BrownConnor Brown

Tanya added: “The best thing to do in Connor’s memory was to stop it happening to anyone else and work to educate these children and young people on the dangers of knife crime.

Read more: BMW driven in chase with police from Durham found outside address in Washington

“It’s about making young people realise that it isn’t just about them – it’s about their friends, family and their lives, and in the moment if they’re holding a knife they don’t have time to think about all of that, it’s a split millisecond decision.”

On Friday (August 5) ten teenagers were jailed for 124 years between them for murder of Newton Aycliffe teen Jack Woodley.

They were handed the sentences at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday afternoon following his fatal stabbing on October 16 last year, when he was attacked at Houghton Feast in Houghton-le-Spring.

The 15-year-old who delivered the fatal blow was sentenced to a minimum of 17 years.

Read next:

If you want to read more stories from The Northern Echo and support our local journalism, why not subscribe for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here