THE Jordan Watson murder trial judge issued a poignant message to the schoolboy’s girlfriend, saying she should not blame herself for the tragedy.

The month-long trial at Carlisle Crown Court heard how one of Jordan’s three killers – 19-year-old George Thomson – was infatuated with the schoolgirl, showering her with gifts because he was desperate to go out with her.

Police officers who searched Thomson’s room at his Upperby Road home in the city found a stash of letters to wrote – but never sent – to the girl.

In them, the killer – who also had amassed a terrifying arsenal of knives and swords at his home - declared his undying love for the 14-year-old, telling her that he would even kill for her.

Despite his repeated attempts to go out with the girl, she rejected him.

At this week’s sentencing hearing, when Thomson and his two accomplices were given long jail terms for killing Jordan, Mr Justice Nicholas Green praised the young witnesses who testified.

But he addressed part of his commentary to directly to the girl. He told her: “Nobody could have predicted or imagined what was to happen to Jordan. You should not for a single moment blame yourself, or feel in any way responsible for Jordan’s death.”

All the young witnesses who gave evidence in the trial had done their public duty, he said. Earlier in his comments, the judge noted that the young witnesses must have found testifying in the trial extremely difficult.

They had answered questions about a dreadful and terrible tragedy, he said.

The judge added: “Having to give evidence in a murder trial like this is not something one would want any teenager to have to do.

“And having to give evidence against a group of people who you know and who may at the time have been friends of yours, and when it also involves the savage killing of another of your friends or acquaintances, must have been a terrible ordeal for you.”

The judge said one young witness also had faced the terrible ordeal of being wrongly suspected of involvement in the murder. Mr Justice Green added: “I would like to commend you all.

“It may sometimes be seen to be unfashionable to talk about public duty. But coming into a court, as you all did, and answering questions fairly, truthfully and according to your genuine memory of what happened was not at all easy. You were asked difficult questions.

“You made concessions when appropriate and you also held your ground and stuck to what you knew when you felt it was the right thing to do. All of you can take pride in having done your duty during this trial and in how you behaved. I hope that your parents, families and friends also feel proud of you.”

Thomson, who was convicted of murder, was jailed for life, with a minimum 27- year term; Brahnn Finley, 19, of Furze Street, off London Road, also convicted of murder, was given a life term with a 14-year minimum term.

Daniel Johnston, 20, of Petteril Bank Road, Harraby, was convicted of manslaughter and jailed for ten years.

They were convicted after the jury heard how Thomson lured Jordan into Upperby Cemetery on the night of June 15 last year, telling the schoolboy he could earn cash by helping him sell weapons.