A TRAVELLER was sentenced to life imprisonment today after being found guilty of murdering his brother-in-law.

And Judge Mr Justice Crane said it remained a mystery why Shane Manson, 23, had brutally attacked 17-year-old Eammon McDonough.

Eammon, of Brothers Street, Blackburn, and his killer had been very close friends and enjoyed a night out together just hours before the killing.

Eammon died from severe skull fractures on January 29 this year after being found injured near father-of-two Manson's caravan behind The Moorings pub off Bolton Road, Blackburn.

Manson claimed four youths had killed Eammon. But the jury dismissed this with a majority 11-1 verdict after a day of deliberation.

Manson showed no emotion as the verdict was announced although he shook his head and shouted to his wife Eileen, Eammon's sister, as he was led away.

Sentencing Manson, Mr Justice Crane said: "It remains a mystery why you brutally attacked Eammon. It seemes that you and he got on well.

"It is quite clear in my own view that drink and cocaine played some part in it and some falling out, which only you know about, led to this terrible attack on someone you accept you held in high regard."

After the case, Det Chief Supt Ian Jones said: "I am pleased with the guilty verdict and especially pleased for the family.

"This was a difficult investigation to deal with because of the limited evidence."