Two men convicted of murdering a Liverpool teenager on Deeside have each received life sentences at Mold Crown Court.

David John Woods, 20, of Douglas Place in Liverpool, was ordered to serve 27 years.

Leslie Peter Baines, 48, of King’s Road in Connah’s Quay, must serve 26 years.

RELATED: CCTV footage shows final moments of teenager Matthew Cassidy murdered in Deeside

Mr Justice Clive Lewis said it was “a savage, sustained and brutal attack” that took the life of a young man, Matthew Cassidy, 19, of Liverpool.

He said he was sure both went to the flat intending to carry out a joint attack with a knife.

Both intended that the weapon would be used in the attack.

There had been significant pre-meditation – it was not a spontaneous outburst of violence, he said.

At some stage that evening both arranged to go to the flats to carry out a joint attack with a blade – although it was not known who inflicted the fatal blow.

He said it was not a murder for gain – the reason for the killing was not know although it may have been connected with the supply of drugs.

They intended that Mr Cassidy be killed, he said.

The judge apologised to the family of Mr Cassidy after an outburst at the end of the hearing.

There were shouts from the public gallery after the sentences had been announced and Woods shouted back up to the gallery.

A woman in the well of the court shouted “shut up you murderer” which brought a swift response from Woods who called her foul names and told her to shut up.

The judge ordered that they be taken to the cells and apologised to the family about what had occurred.

Woods – the leader of a rival drugs gang – changed his plea part way through his earlier trial and admitted murdering Matthew Cassidy, 19, at the Bethel Place flats in Connah’s Quay on May 29 last year.

He admitted doing acts intending to pervert the course of justice by providing police with false telephone evidence in a bid to blame it all on Baines.

The court heard how Woods had been covertly recorded during a prison visit at HMP Altcourse in Liverpool, making admissions to the murder to his family and friends.

Baines denied any involvement but was convicted by a jury at Mold Crown Court last month.

Matthew Cassidy had been stabbed nine times – the fatal blow was to the heart.

The prosecution alleged Mr Cassidy was supplying drugs on Deeside and claimed the attack was a dispute that had arisen over drugs supply.

Det Supt Iestyn Davies, who led the North Wales Police, investigation said: “We welcome the sentences imposed by the court today against these two defendants. Both initially pleaded not guilty to murder.

Woods changed his plea half way through the trial. Baines was found guilty by the jury after they had heard the evidence against him.

“David Woods and Leslie Baines are dangerous and violent men who, in order to further their drug dealing activities in Connah’s Quay, were prepared to resort to murdering a young man.

"They preyed on the vulnerability of others in that community and were prepared to use extreme violence to do so.

“Matthew Cassidy, who was only 19 years of age when he died, had somehow become involved in the drug supply scene and was to pay the ultimate price for this.

"When a feud broke out between two rival drug supply gangs the two defendants decided to deal with Matthew Cassidy in the most violent means possible.

“In what was a clear joint enterprise by Woods and Baines, Matthew Cassidy was confronted by both men in the ground floor hallway of Bethel flats and attacked.

"He sustained a number of stab wounds and died of catastrophic injuries.

“This is a tragic case which illustrates the dangers of becoming involved not only in drug taking, but drug dealing criminality.

"I hope that Mathew Cassidy’s family will take some comfort that those responsible for this death are now imprisoned for many years to come.

“There can be no place in North Wales for those who enter our communities to supply drugs and use violence.

"Today’s sentences should re-enforce this message and we hope it will dissuade others.

"On a personal note I would like to thank members of the Connah’s Quay community for their support and assistance during the investigation, the police officers and staff who worked tirelessly investigating this crime and the prosecution team who led this case to the point of conviction.”