A TEENAGE lesbian was today beginning a life sentence after murdering her "popular, caring and sensitive" girlfriend in a jealous rage.

And today the family of victim Mandy Burton paid her a loving tribute, saying: "Now she can be laid to rest."

Louise Berry, 19, was sentenced to life imprisonment yesterday after a jury of seven men and five women unanimously found her guilty following 15 hours and 23 minutes of deliberations at Preston Crown Court.

Judge Peter Openshaw, QC, labelled Berry a remorseless killer for the "truly brutal murder" at the couple's home in Moorgate Street, Blackburn, while sentencing her following the 11-day trial.

Berry, who showed no visible emotion when the verdict was announced, hit Mandy, a 30-year-old divorced mum-of-two, over the head three times with a blunt weapon, which has never been recovered, on August 11, 2002.

Her lover's skull was smashed into her brain and she died in the Royal Preston Hospital three days later.

Berry was also found guilty of causing John Hollern actual bodily harm during a separate incident on August 7, 2002, for which she received a three-month concurrent sentence.

She hit him over the head with a crowbar after seeing Mandy on his cousin Andrew's knee.

Berry was said to have been in a jealous rage in the belief that her girlfriend was having an affair with a man and the court heard she had previously threatened to kill her. During the trial, the jury was told Mandy could be vindictive, bad-tempered and that she had drunk large amounts of alcohol regularly for a number of years.

But Mandy's mum Kathleen Turner, of Blackburn, speaking on behalf of her son Calvin and daughter Charlotte, said: "The Mandy we knew was not the Mandy presented to the jury in court. She was great, a loving mother, sister and daughter.

"She was full of fun and had a strong personality. She was caring and sensitive. Nobody had a bad word to say about her.

"Mandy always needed to be loved. She was a free spirit and always will be. She was very popular and always had a lot of friends.

"There was something about her that attracted people.

"She cannot be forgotten and will be remembered with great affection by all who knew her.

"Now Mandy can be laid to rest."

Kathleen, Calvin and Charlotte also thanked the police, especially officers Lyndsey Coy and Angela Harwood, for their support, the jury and witnesses for their commitment and the prosecution team for its hard work.

Judge Openshaw said: "This was a truly brutal murder. The only inference to be drawn from the delivering of a force of such heavy blows to the head is that you intended to kill Mandy Burton, as you said you would do only a few days before.

"You left the house to dispose of the murder weapon and came back. Despite the emotion you showed in the 999 telephone call, you showed not the slightest remorse in court for what you have done.

"The sentence for murder is laid down by law and that is custody for life."

Outside court, Det Supt Ian Jones, officer in charge of the case, said: "This was a difficult inquiry to deal with. There were a number of evidential problems that had to be overcome to bring the accused to trial.

"It was made all the more distressing for the victim's family because Mandy lived for several days after the initial attack, before sadly dying in hospital.

"The police and Mandy's family are, therefore, very pleased with the outcome of the trial and the sentence that has been handed down today.

"I would also like to extend my thanks to members of the local community who supported the police and came to court to give evidence in difficult circumstances."