TWO teenage drug dealers have been given custodial sentences today for the manslaughter of a Widnes dad.

The pair, both aged 16, were convicted last month of stabbing Lee Briggs in St Marie’s park on Lugsdale Road.

The boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were found guilty of the manslaughter of 43-year-old Mr Briggs following a three week trial at Chester Crown Court.

The dad-of-two died from a single stab wound to the chest which pierced his heart following an incident on May 16 last year.

Both teenagers pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs - cocaine and heroin - on the day of the incident.

The boy who stabbed Mr Briggs was sentenced to four years in detention. He was given no separate penalty for drug charges.

The second boy who wielded a machete at Mr Briggs was sentenced to two years’ detention and a treatment order.

He was also given a 12 month sentence on each of the two drug charges to run concurrently.

The jury heard that Mr Briggs – a drug user - had threatened to rob the boys, holding a knife to the neck of one of them.

Both boys were only 15 when the incident happened.

Sentencing the pair at Chester Crown Court today, Judge Timothy King said: “The events on May 16 were a tragedy for more than one person.

“They were a tragedy for Lee Briggs who lost his life, a tragedy for his family.

“It was a tragedy for each of you as you stand in the dock awaiting sentence for serious crimes.

“In my judgement, you are each a victim of the callous and cowardly behaviour of adult drug dealers of Liverpool who seduced each of you at your young age.

“They were taking advantage, seducing you to become their expendable mules, runners in delivering drugs.

“These drug dealers set you up with weapons.”

The judge said it was the drug dealers who should be in the dock but ‘sadly as yet they had not been apprehended.’'

Detective Inspector Steve Jones, who was in charge of the investigation, said: "Today the two teenagers have been sentenced over Lee’s death. I hope that the conclusion of this case brings about some closure for Lee’s family and helps them as they try and re-build their lives.

Lee was well-known in Widnes and the impact of his death was felt deeply amongst those who knew and loved him.

"I would like to thank the team of detectives who worked on this case. It was a complex investigation with many challenges - including the ages of those involved and the circumstances surrounding the death – and I would like to thank all those involved for their efforts.

"This case centred around illegal drugs and those who use and sell them. Lee was a drug user who had struggled with his addiction - his life was cut short that day.

“The actions of the two teenage boys have devastated not only Lee’s family but also their own – and they are now paying the price.

"What happened will stay with them for the rest of their lives and I hope that the sentences handed down to them will allow them to face up to the consequences of their actions."

The two defendants, from Liverpool, had travelled over the border to Widnes on May 16 to deal drugs.

Mr Briggs, who was a regular drug user himself, had been in the park that day.

Also in the park were a woman and two men who were waiting for the drug dealers to arrive.

During the afternoon, Mr Briggs came out of the bushes and asked one of the men for a cigarette.

The two teenagers then arrived and the woman followed one of them into the bushes. Mr Briggs also then went back into the bushes followed by the other teen.

The two men remained outside of the bushes, one of them walked off when he realised something was happening.

The other heard shouting inside the bushes and Lee staggered out and collapsed on the floor next to the basketball court.

He walked towards Mr Brigs with the woman and could see that he was badly injured.

They both went to get help at a nearby house - and an ambulance was called.

Other local residents also tried to help Mr Briggs. Paramedics and police arrived swiftly at the scene and provided CPR.

Mr Briggs was taken to Whiston Hospital but despite the best efforts of all involved he sadly died.

An investigation was launched and the two teens were quickly identified as suspects after being caught on CCTV.

The pair were arrested shortly after and subsequently charged in connection with Lee’s death.

Detectives from the force's Major Investigation Team have spent months piecing together the case.

This included gathering vital evidence, speaking to numerous witnesses, viewing hours of CCTV footage and carrying out forensic enquiries.

During the investigation it became apparent that the woman, who had been in the bushes at the time of the incident, had witnessed part of what had happened.

She was identified and spoken to by police. She admitted being there and seeing Mr Briggs with a knife and said that he threatened one of the teenagers in a bid to steal their money and drugs.

Evidence was heard in court that the teenager, who was stood next to the woman, had picked up a machete, which was nearby. As he did so, the other stabbed Mr Briggs once to the chest with a knife.

The two defendants fled the scene following the incident and tried to catch a taxi back to Liverpool.

They went to a nearby industrial estate and asked for help in getting a lift as they were unsure of their location.

They eventually managed to catch a cab back to the city.

Following their arrest one of teens admitted stabbing the victim – but claimed it had been in self-defence as he thought he was going to be harmed himself and that he had not intended to kill him.

The knife used to stab Mr Briggs was never recovered – the teenager claimed that he had discarded it following the incident.

A knife was recovered next to the body of the victim - a DNA match linked this directly to Mr Briggs.

Chief Inspector Richard Rees, who is in charge of policing in Widnes, said: "Lee’s death had a big impact on the local community.

"Officers from the local policing unit worked hard following the incident to provide vital reassurance and support to local people.

"Many residents living nearby tried to help Lee that day after he collapsed in the park and I would like to thank them for their efforts.

"Illegal drugs can have a big impact on an area and those living in it. We are working hard to address the issue and ensure that those who are involved in this sort of behaviour are identified, dealt with appropriately and offered the necessary help and support."

Crown Advocate, Robert Jones, of Mersey-Cheshire Crown Prosecution Service said: "These boys were just children but were already heavily involved in the violent and dangerous world of drug dealing.

"The Crown Prosecution Service prosecuted this case as joint enterprise. We argued that the two boys had acted together, with the same aim and had access to hidden weapons near to where they were dealing drugs in case they were robbed.

"It’s clear Mr Briggs had threatened them and demanded money and drugs but the response cannot be described as ‘reasonable self defence’.

“Mr.Briggs was killed by a single stab wound to the heart – a blow clearly intended to do harm.

"The jury found them both guilty of manslaughter and these two boys have now lost their liberty for a number of years.

"They were dealing in powerful, addictive drugs and killed a man to protect their ill-gotten gains. Another example of the dangers of this evil trade. Our thoughts remain with the family of Mr Briggs."