A Dorset teenager who murdered his mother after becoming fascinated with knives has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

Kieren Smith, 17, stabbed 42-year-old Leah Whittle 94 times at her home in Benville Road, Weymouth, on July 21.

Sentencing Smith at Winchester Crown Court, Judge Guy Boney told him he had ''not shown a smidgen of remorse'' and would serve at least 15 years before he could be considered for parole.

Handing down sentence, Judge Boney called the murder 'brutal'.

He said 17-year-old Smith has 'taken the life of the very person who gave life to you' in the most brutal way as can be imagined.'

He added: "You rained down no fewer than 94 stab wounds on her defenceless head and body.
"It was an attack which must have lasted somewhere over one minute."

Judge Boney said he accepted the life led by Smith in the flat he shared with his mother must have been one of 'misery' for both of them.

But he said after the attack, Smith had done everything he could to try and get away with what he had done.

Speaking to the Echo after sentencing, DI Marcus Hester said: "This sentence is clearly deemed appropriate by the judge for the protection of the public and hopefully some form of treatment for the various issues identified.

"At the same time, it is an appropriate punishment for the horrific crime he has committed.

"The judge clearly summed up my views with regards to this case."

The jury heard that Smith stabbed Ms Whittle 94 times in a frenzied attack at their flat in Benville Road.

Smith was 16 at the time of the attack and subjected his mum to a sustained attack with a knife which penetrated her vital organs, including her heart, liver and lungs, the court heard.