A MAN has been handed an extended sentence after he killed his younger sister during a caravan holiday in North Wales.

Matthew Selby, of Windemere Crescent, Ashton-Under-Lyne, appeared at Mold Crown Court for sentence on Friday morning via video link from HMP Berwyn.

The 20-year-old had admitted an offence of manslaughter earlier this year - in that he killed his younger sister at Ty Mawr Caravan Park, Towyn, in July last year.

Jamie Baxter, prosecuting, told the court: "This is a particularly tragic case of sororicide involving the death of 15-year-old Amanda Selby at the hands of her older brother.

"[It was] a tragic manifestation of this defendant's long-standing propensity for aggressive outbursts."

Mr Baxter explained that while on a caravan holiday with his father and sister, the defendant - then aged 19 - had an argument with his sister after becoming fixated on the pin of a rainbow badge which was bent.

He blamed Amanda for it, and became more and more irate - despite his father trying to help fix the pin, and to distract the defendant.

Selby went into the small bedroom where his sister was staying and began throwing her belongings around.

Amanda, who was asthmatic, asked for her inhaler, Mr Baxter said.

At one point, things seemed to calm down and the defendant's father left the room, but shortly after he heard a commotion - with the defendant saying his sister had hit him with a charger.

When he re-entered the bedroom, it appeared Selby had indeed sustained a "trivial" injury to his lip, but he went tense and then lunged at his sister, pushing her to the floor and lying on her with all of his weight while pressing on her neck with his arm.

Mr Baxter said despite his best efforts, Selby's father could not get between his children - given the confined space in the room, as well as his son's rage and strength.

Amanda looked at her father and told him: "Tell mum I love her."

After momentarily stopping, Selby threw himself onto his sister again, following which she stopped breathing.

During an emotional and desperate 999 call, Amanda's father tried to help her - as did surrounding residents from the park - but he could not.

When police arrived, it took a number of officers to restrain Selby and in interview he largely gave no comment.

READ MORE: 

Following a post mortem examination, the cause of Amanda's death was found to be mechanical asphyxiation.

Selby was initially charged with murder, but following extensive assessment by psychiatrists it was determined he had a neurological developmental disorder, autistic spectrum disorder and intermittent explosive disorder.

He entered the guilty plea to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Gordon Cole KC, defending, said the case was "deeply tragic and highly unusual."

He said it had been accepted that the only appropriate sentence could be custody, given a hospital order had been explored but could not be applied in this case.

Speaking of Selby's future, he added: "The concern is whether the problems the young man has are going to be treated or if assistance can be given to him in the forthcoming years.

"One can only hope they are in a position to put together some form of regime in which this young man can be helped and treated."

Judge Rhys Rowlands told the defendant: "Any loss of a young life is a tragedy, but in this case particularly so.

"I accept your autistic spectrum disorder caused you to react in an extreme way - an explosive loss of control on your part.

"Despite your dad's desperate pleas, you refused to get off [Amanda].

"She was killed at only 15 by her own brother on what should have been a happy family holiday together."

He said the family had been "shattered" by what had happened.

Judge Rowlands gave the defendant maximum credit for entering the guilty plea to manslaughter at the earliest opportunity, but handed down an extended sentence of 10 years - five years of which will be custodial, and the remaining five an extended licence period.

Selby must serve at least two thirds of the custodial part before he can be considered for release on licence.

Following the hearing, Detective Superintendent Mark Pierce said: “Today marks the end of proceedings for a tragic and deeply sad event for Amanda and her family.

“The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this difficult time and our thoughts are with them as they try to come to terms with what has happened.”