'He died because he stood up to the bullies'

Luke Walmsley's mother said today that her son's bravery had cost him his life.

Jayne Walmsley spoke of the "void in our hearts" caused by his death, adding: "Luke was never afraid to stand up for what he believed in and he stood up to bullies.

"Some children take their own lives because they are being bullied but Luke was killed because he dared to stand up to the bullies in his school. For a while the older boys often picked on Luke because he was quite big for his age and very sporty and clever."

She said of Alan Pennell: "He was just an evil boy. He roamed in a pack, he is a true bully and I don't think the school has enough power to get rid of these people.

"When he [the jury foreman] said 'Murder' it was like a weight had been lifted off our shoulders." She said she and her husband were trying to be strong for each other and their daughter Lauren.