AN "inadequate" man who murdered his former friend in a cowardly attack will spend at least two decades behind bars.

Jamie Mitchell, aged 25 and of Lexham Green Close in Buckley, was found guilty of murdering Steven Wilkinson by a Jury last week.

The court had heard how Mitchell took up a kitchen knife and ran out into the street after his window was smashed, looking for those responsible.

He came across 23-year-old Mr Wilkinson near Home Bargains in the town and chased him into an alleyway at Jubilee Court, where he stabbed him.

The wound was catastrophic, and despite remaining on his feet for a short time, Mr Wilkinson collapsed and his condition deteriorated - despite the best efforts of his friends at the scene, paramedics and doctors.

At his sentencing hearing, which took place at Mold Crown Court on Thursday, Mitchell wore a blue tracksuit and trainers.

He listened without emotion as the minimum term on his inevitable life sentence was decided by Judge Rhys Rowlands.

READ MORE: Jamie Mitchell found guilty of murdering Steven Wilkinson in Buckley

Michael Jones KC, prosecuting, told the court that the victim would have endured "physical and mental suffering" following the fatal blow.

He added that Mitchell is "not of good character" and that this was not the first time he'd been in trouble over blades - with a samurai sword and a butterfly knife being found in his bedroom when he was arrested for drugs offences previously.

Gordon Cole KC, defending, told the court his client was "still only a young man," and asked the Judge to take into account the circumstances surrounding the incident and how things developed.

He added: "We invite the court to impose the shortest sentence, but in saying that we're mindful that a young man has lost his life."

Judge Rowlands told the defendant: "Steven Wilkinson was only 23 when he was killed.

READ MORE: Steven Wilkinson's stab wound was 'un-survivable from the moment it was inflicted'

"His last moments must have been quite terrifying; having been approached by you, being trapped and posing absolutely no threat at all to you.

"It was a cowardly attack carried out by pretty inadequate young man who armed himself with a knife.

"The knife was intended to be used by you to threaten or intimidate others - I don't accept you took it onto the streets on the spur of the moment."

He said it was very clear that the victim was not responsible for the broken window which sparked the defendant's behaviour, and that he'd simply been "in the wrong place at the wrong time," when Mitchell came looking "intent on revenge."

The Judge handed down a life sentence, ordering Mitchell to serve a minimum term of 22 years behind bars before he can be considered to apply for parole.

"You clearly are a very dangerous individual capable of extreme violence," he said.

The Leader:

Speaking outside the court after the hearing, senior investigating officer, Detective Superintendant Mark Pierce of North Wales Police said: "The Judge referred to this as a cowardly attack by an inadequate man.

"The message here I if you go outside carrying a knife and attack somebody - the courts will come down extremely heavily on you.

"Jamie Mitchell will be in prison until he's approaching 50 years old. Now it's time for Steven's family to get this horrendous part of their life out of the way and start rebuilding their lives.

"We ask for privacy and respect for that."