THE convictions for the murder and two robberies were welcomed by police and members of the murdered man's family.

One of the officers who was at the centre of what was described as a prolonged, protracted and complex investigation, Det Insp Colin Barton, said: "It is an absolutely brilliant result.

"The family of Mr McParland, some of whom travelled over from Ireland to attend the hearing, are pleased that the people who were responsible for his death have been convicted and sentenced."

Mr Barton said extensive inquiries were carried out in the Duke Bar area of Burnley following the discovery of Mr McParland's badly beaten body just a week short of a year ago.

Large numbers of officers were involved as a major inquiry was conducted.

Mr Barton added: "A lot of people in that area were inconvenienced because of the amount of police work taking place in the area.

"I can say that it is the first time that I have worked on a murder inquiry when crime has continued to take place in such a compact area.

"The fact that the two young people responsible for murdering Mr McParland could then go out and cause such serious injuries to Mr Tattersall shows they had no fear or consideration for other people."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.