Leighton Amies was expelled from primary school for threatening to slash his headteacher across the head with broken glass, a court heard as he was sentenced for the murder of Tomasz Oleszak.

The 15-year-old killer had developed an ‘unhealthy and malign interest’ in knives and was ‘ready to fight’ when Tomasz’s friends approached on the dark path that fateful night last October.

He was also excluded from mainstream school having been convicted of arson after setting fire to a uPvc window of the building with two friends.

The Northern Echo: Leighton Amies was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court Leighton Amies was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court (Image: Contributor)

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Newcastle Crown Court was told he was made the subject of a referral order for that offence, which was still in place when he stabbed Tomasz, who was 14, in the chest with a steak knife in Whitehills Nature Park.

Last February, Amies was cautioned for being in possession of an offensive weapon, namely a bike seat and attached pole, during an incident where two groups of boys confronted each other in the street.

The court was told he had been involved in 40 different incidents while at school.

His time at River Tyne Academy, a Gateshead school for expelled pupils, was interrupted with further exclusions due to his aggressive behaviour.

When he was arrested police found images of weapons on his mobile phone and during the trial the jurors heard how he boasted about ‘wetting’ one of the boys in the group.

Referring to pre-sentence reports, trial judge Mr Justice Spencer said: “Your use of the expressive term ‘wetted’ at the time of the offence indicates that you have a knowledge of language associated with knives and this gives an indication of the type of conversations you are likely to have had when interacting with your peer group.”

Amies lashed out at Tomasz and tore the coat of another boy on the evening of October 3 as he walked home with his girlfriend.

The Northern Echo: The jacket of Tomasz's best friend was torn during the incident The jacket of Tomasz's best friend was torn during the incident (Image: Contributor)

The Northern Echo: The knife used in the attack was recovered by police The knife used in the attack was recovered by police (Image: Contributor)

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They were approached and it is understood Amies armed himself with the knife following an incident the previous evening when his girlfriend had been called a ‘slag’ as she had also gone out with two other boys.

The judge said: “I accept that you are not the instigator of the fight and that others excluding, Tomasz, shall bear that responsibility and will have to live with the knowledge that their stupidity led to the events which culminated in Tomasz losing his life.

“This murder was not pre-meditated and you could not have known how matters would evolve.

“It was pitch black and you were provoked to use the knife by the actions of the others however the principal responsibility lies with you taking the knife with you and being prepared to use it in the manner which I have described."

Referring to the use of the word 'wetted', the judge said it was used ‘triumphantly, almost braggingly'.

He said Amies gave no warning he had a knife and rejected his claim he intended to scare the group.

The judge said: "I find that knowing you had the knife you were happy to fight, safe in the knowledge that if they attacked you or there was a confrontation you would use the knife and be the only person who was armed."

The judge said Amies 'relished' the idea of gaining the upper hand almost immediately by ‘wetting’ one of them and then announcing this to the others, knowing that they would then run away.”

The Northern Echo: Tomasz Oleszak died following the attack in Gateshead Tomasz Oleszak died following the attack in Gateshead (Image: Contributor)

The court was told the death of Tomasz now weighs heavily on Amies’ mind and that he frequently has nightmares about the incident.

He told probation officers he knows he had done ‘a tragic thing’ and wants to say ‘sorry’ to his victim’s family, who are from Poland, for the hurt he has caused.

He reportedly said: “I want them to know that I'm really sorry for what I've done.

“I did not go out that night to hurt so my only intention that night was to meet my girlfriend and walk her home.”

The judge said he would ‘take into account’ the fact that Amies’ intellectual ability is ‘significantly impaired’.

He is being detained at Aycliffe Secure Centre in Newton until he is old enough to be transferred to a Young Offenders’ Institution and the court was told he has improved his reading from ten years old to 13 and three months.

The judge said: “You are now a functional reader. You're described as a boy who generally works well and is a good role model, that you often earn special mention in lessons.

“You have chosen to work positively and enthusiastically with staff in order to improve yourself and you have benefited from the structure provided by the institution where you are currently held.

“I hope you are able to maintain this progress when you are eventually transferred to a young offenders’ institution.”

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Sentencing Amies to life, with a minimum term of 12 years, which means he could be freed on parole when he is 27.

The judge said: “You will then be eligible for early release.

“You will remain on licence for the rest of your life and may be recalled to custody at any time.”