THREE men were today beginning prison sentences totalling 22 years for their part in the beating and killing of teenager Sajjad Mahmood.

A leading detective said that criminals in Accrington had been so disgusted by the killing that they supplied police with details of killer James Butler's drugs empire.

Detective Sergeant Neil Hunter of Accrington CID spoke after seeing Butler and his drug dealing colleagues jailed at Preston Crown Court.

Butler, 21, of Persia Street, Accrington, admitted manslaughter and was sentenced to six years.

He was also given a consecutive four-year sentence for conspiracy to supply drugs. Butler, along with Karl Barton, 22, of Manor Gardens, Church, and Wayne Kelly, 23, of Royds Street, Accrington, gave Sajjad a savage beating at a house in Princess Street, Accrington, on March 21 last year. Butler later forced the battered teenager, of Royds Street, Accrington, into nearby Haggs Lodge where his body was found more than a week later.

All three had denied murder but the original trial at Preston Crown Court was halted when Butler admitted manslaughter.

Barton and Kelly were cleared of manslaughter but found guilty of causing grevious bodily harm with intent.

They were each sentenced to a total of six years after admitting conspiracy to supply drugs.

Butler's half-brother Dean Lynch, 28, of York Street, Church, was sentenced to 15 months for perverting the course of justice by helping Butler while he was on the run.

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