'I've done an M': Teenager who boasted about murder on social media given life sentence

A teenager who told a friend "I've done an M" after stabbing a grandfather to death has been given a life sentence in prison. 

A video of Leary Dalton-Byrne, 18, boasting about the murder of 45-year-old Dean Ward in Finchley Park, Birmingham, was circulated on social media and led to his arrest.

The killer stabbed Mr Ward to death with a large kitchen knife in a "brutal and sustained attack" in June last year.

Dalton-Byrne had asked the victim for a cigarette and when he said he did not smoke, he was stabbed repeatedly in the legs.

Mr Ward was taken to hospital by ambulance but died from complications caused by his injuries a week later.

The 18-year-old told a friend afterwards that he had just "done an M" after they pointed out cuts he had on his right hand.

He later denied carrying out the attack and blamed a friend he was with at the time.

Dalton-Byrne claimed the "M" mentioned in the video was a reference to ecstasy.

He was found guilty by a jury in December and has now been ordered to serve a minimum of 17 years behind bars.

In his sentencing, Judge Paul Farrer QC said: "By any measure this was a brutal and sustained attack against an unarmed and effectively helpless victim."

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Dunn, who led the investigation, added: "Dean's family has been left devastated by the death of their loving granddad, father, son and brother.

"Although nothing will bring Dean back, we hope this sentence brings some closure to his family and sends a strong message to those willing to carry knives on our streets."