A TEENAGE boy and a drug dealer were yesterday locked up for the killing of a 19-year-old heroin addict.

Teesside Crown Court heard that Wayne Bircham was chased through the rundown streets of Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, before he was stabbed in the heart, near his home in Lanchester Road, on a Sunday afternoon in June last year.

Jason Morley, 17, of Bevanlee Road, South Bank, admitted murder. Judge Peter Fox ordered him to be detained at Her Majesty's pleasure, and recommended he serve eight years before being eligible for parole.

Drug dealer Derek Angus, 30, of Caernarvon Close, Middlesbrough, admitted manslaughter and was sentenced to life, with a recommendation he serve at least five years and 78 days.

Judge Fox told Angus he saw him as the prime motivator of the events which led to Wayne's death. If he had not started an argument with Wayne, Morley would not have run after him.

Darren Hart, 20, of Upper Oxford Street, South Bank, who admitted affray arising from the incident, was sent to a young offenders' institution for 12 months.

Angus also admitted wounding Wayne with intent four days before the killing. He had stabbed him in the arm in an argument.

Aidan Marron QC, for Morley, said the teenager was of limited intellectual ability, and could be manipulated by an older person.

Jeremy Hill-Baker QC, for Angus, said his client had shown genuine remorse.

James Goss QC, for Hart, said his client had stopped chasing Wayne before the violence begun. When he saw that he was badly hurt, he tried to help him and stayed until the emergency services arrived.