A BLACKBURN policeman was praised for his 'prompt and professional conduct' after taking to the stand during the Charlotte Flanagan murder trial.

And Sgt Peter Crane revealed that Gareth Horton - found guilty of Charlotte's murder - had confessed to killing her and telling her he loved her while she spluttered to death.

Sgt Crane was on duty in the communication room at Blackburn Police Station in the early hours of New Year's Day when Horton's father, Richard, rang to say his son had called him to confess to murdering 'his girlfriend.'

Mr Horton also told Sgt Crane that his son was threatening to walk into the River Thames and kill himself. Sgt Crane got the number of the phonebox and alerted the police in London.

Mr Horton then rang back to Blackburn police station to say his son was on the phone again. Sgt Crane rang the phonebox and spoke to Horton about what had happened.

He took the address of the pub and alerted ambulance services in London while trying to keep Horton on the phone. He said he also gathered that Horton no longer had the knife with him.

"He said he had told her he loved her but was not sure if she replied because she was struggling to breathe," said Sgt Crane.

"He was adamant she was dead."

He kept Horton on the phone until police arrived and heard the arrest being carried out.

Judge Brian Barker QC praised Sgt Crane's 'prompt and professional conduct.'