A TEENAGER was today starting a life sentence for the St Valentine's Day killing of her friend.

Nicola Faughey, aged 18, from Farnworth, faces life behind bars after the brutal stabbing to death of 35-year-old Joanne Whitelegg.

Joanne suffered 27 stab wounds and three weapons were used to kill her, Manchester Crown Court was told. Faughey appeared for sentence after earlier admitting manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Jailing her, Judge Sir Rhys Davies QC said: "There is insufficient evidence to suggest she was suffering from mental illness and therefore the court is not in a position to make an order under the Mental Health Act."

After the case, Miss Whitelegg's mother launched an attack on social services, in whose care Faughey had been.

Noreen Malone hit out at the town hall bosses in an emotional statement about her daughter's horrific death.

She said: "We have lost a much loved daughter and nothing will ease our sad loss. The mental and physical anguish could only be understood by anyone unfortunate to have suffered the same trauma."

Miss June Morris, prosecuting, said Faughey, who was aged only 16 at the time of the killing, had spent the evening with her boyfriend before visiting her friend Joanne Whitelegg. After the stabbing, she said that Faughey had called 999 and had not been given the police a proper account of what happened at Miss Whitelegg's home at Westwood Close. She even tried to implicate others in the death.

Miss Morris said that shortly after midnight on February 15 Faughey called emergency services to Miss Whitelegg's flat.

Ambulance staff found her cradling Miss Whitelegg's lifeless body at the foot of the stairwell.

Faughey told police she was upstairs when she heard a knock at the door, followed by screams.

She went down to investigate and saw a man, whom she named and described, standing over her friend's body.

He went to attack her but then made off, Faughey told police.

After the man was arrested, questioned and eliminated from inquiries, detectives suspected Faughey, who was arrested on February 15.

Miss Morris said Faughey continued to deny the killing after being charged, and while being held on remand in custody implicated a second man -- Miss Whitelegg's boyfriend -- in the attack.

But days before her trial was scheduled to start, Faughey broke down in tears and confessed to her defence team, saying she was the only one involved

David Turner QC, defending, said Faughey decided she did not want to tell lies.

He said: "It would have been very tempting for a teenager to go along with the whole thing but she decided she wanted to tell the truth."

Faughey was later admitted to Ashworth Mental Hospital for assessment which he claimed "was a courageous thing for a young girl of that age to be prepared to do".

The judge expressed his gratitude to the doctors, social workers and police involved on the case.

Speaking directly to Miss Faughey, he said: "The court must consider your explosive nature

"You are at a stage in development of maturing and if you need help in a mental institution an order can be given in the future."

Miss Faughey remained impassive throughout the sentencing. She will be eligible to apply for parole in four years' time.