A 20-YEAR-OLD woman has been sentenced to nine years behind bars for killing a Blackburn teenager.

Rebecca Tootle, who was described as ‘sly’ and ‘manipulative’ by a judge, was found guilty of the manslaughter of Ashley Meadowcroft, 18, but was cleared of murdering him.

The defendant, of Fecitt Brow, thanked jurors from the dock as they passed their verdict. She had always claimed she was acting in self defence when the victim came into her home.

Her barrister said the case was the first in the country where the defence of ‘disproportionate force’ had been put forward since the new law was introduced in 2013.

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Meadowcroft’s mother said the family had been through hell since her son was stabbed to death.

She said: “He was not an angel, he had his mistakes, but he did turn his life around and he did not deserve to die.

“Murder and manslaughter are just labels, but I think Rebecca Tootle got what she deserved for killing my son.

“These have been the worst weeks of mine and my family’s lives but I am glad it is all over and justice for Ashley has been done.”

Mr Meadowcroft, 18, was killed after he went round uninvited to Tootle’s house with his ‘American pit bull’ Leo in September last year.

Witnesses told Preston Crown Court he was acting in an ‘aggressive’ manner and was ‘ragging’ the dog to make him bark.

He demanded to speak to Tootle’s boyfriend Matthew Moran who reluctantly went to the front door to see him, the jury heard.

The judge was told how Mr Meadowcroft then assaulted Mr Moran and threatened to have his dog attack him.

Tootle, who had been in her bedroom, went downstairs with a knife, which she said she had in her room because she had tried to commit suicide the day before.

She told jurors she closed her eyes and plunged the blade into his chest.

Mr Meadowcroft, who dreamed of starting a college course in woodwork and construction, was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital, but died a short time later.

Mrs Meadowcroft, 42, said she would always remember her son for his sense of humour.

She said: “I will always hear his laughter. This world has been robbed of his laughter.

“He loved life to the full and he made me love life. But I don’t love life anymore.

“I was so proud of Ashley because he was finally keeping out of trouble and he had turned his life around.

“He had a good heart and everybody called him the gentle giant.

“Ashley was my best friend in the world.”

Mrs Meadowcroft said legal highs, which Tootle had also been taking in the hours before she killed Mr Meadowcroft, had blighted his life, but that she was helping him get support to stop taking them.

Mr Justice Holroyde gave Tootle an extended sentence, meaning she will be in prison for nine years and then on license for a further five so that she can get help to address her ‘personality disorders’ and legal high use.

He told her: “I regard such a sentence necessary because of the risk I find you impose to others.

“Having observed you throughout the trial and having heard a great deal about you, there can in my judgement be no doubt whatsoever that you are dangerous.

“I have been able to observe you throughout this trial and I have come to the conclusion that whatever your problems may be, there is a sly and manipulative side to you.

“By your act, although you did not intend it, you ended a young life. The court must take account of the harm you have caused.”

Speaking after the case Detective Inspector Andy Cribbin of the Force Major Investigation Team said: “Rebecca Tootle is a violent individual who took it upon herself to attack Ashley and then fabricate an account portraying herself as the victim.

“Today’s verdict and sentence will hopefully allow the family of Ashley to begin to move on with their lives knowing that justice has been done and our thoughts remain with them and with Ashley’s friends.”