Still reeling from her shock murder confession, a friend of Karen Tunmore has told of his determination to talk to his pal behind bars.

The former football coach was jailed for life earlier this month after she sensationally told police she had battered Sunderland teenager Scott Pritchard to death, almost 15 years ago.

Tunmore's shock confession brought to a close one of the North East's most baffling unsolved murder mysteries, and gave Scott's devastated family the closure they so desperately craved.

However, those close to the murderer have been left stunned at discovering that the kids' football coach was in fact a violent killer.

Now one friend, who has known Tunmore for more than 20 years, has told of his disebelief.

Karen Tunmore, who admitted murdering Scott Pritchard
Karen Tunmore, who admitted murdering Scott Pritchard

And the 43-year-old, who ChronicleLive has agreed not to name, says he now wants to visit Tunmore in prison and ask her what really happened.

He said: "I still can't believe that she's done this. I can't take it in. I really want to visit her in prison.

"I know that if I sat in front of her and started speaking to her I would get the truth out of her.

"She needs someone that she knows and trusts to speak to her. I am trying to find out what prison she is in because I will get the truth I know I will."

Scott, 19, was found fatally injured outside his Sunderland home in January 2004, and later died in hospital.

Despite a huge police investigation and repeated pleas for information from his family, no one was ever convicted of Scott's murder.

Around 18 months after Scott's death his dad, Robert 'Fred' Stacey, was charged with murder.

But the case against the roofer was dropped at court, when the prosecution offered no evidence against him.

The identity of the killer remained a mystery until July when Tunmore, from Killingworth, walked into Middle Engine Lane Police Station, in Wallsend, and told officers she was responsible.

The 36-year-old pleaded guilty at her first appearance at Newcastle Crown Court and was jailed for life on October 1.

Tragically Robert died just days later.

Tunmore's friend said the pair struck up a close friendship after they joined the same karate club 24 years ago.

And he says the Karen he knew was nothing like the violent killer portrayed in court.

Scott Pritchard
Scott Pritchard

"She was always there for you if you needed her, she would break her neck for you if you needed her," he said.

"She loved driving around in her car and just driving wherever the boy racers used to meet up. We called her George not Karen because to us she was just one of the lads.

"She never had interest in relationships ever. I think deep down she was and knew she was a male on the inside but a female on the outside.

"We use to train and get taught off police officers who were also in our club. Karen was also part of our team that used to go abroad. We went to Groningen in Holland twice, Italy once and nearly every city in England.

"I had 136 fights and won 134, Karen had roughly the same and never won a single one. But when it come to class work and training she was brilliant. There was never any aggression in the ring. I seen her fight full contact and soft sparring and she never ever won.

"I have seen her cry because her dad found tabs in her pocket. When Karen said she was going to do something she done it no hassle at all. She was involved in all charity events and took kids coaching the lot."

Tunmore saw her friend regularly around the time that Scott was killed, and he said he did not notice any change in her behaviour.

"I used to see her practically every week," he said."The worst thing is she didn't change at all."

The court heard how Tunmore told police that she had travelled to Sunderland with a friend called Steve, a member of Wearside gang the Hendon Mad Dogs, on the night Scott was killed.

And after Tunmore bludgeoned Scott to death with a baseball bat, the pals disposed of the murder weapon and her car together, she claimed.

However, despite making full confessions to the murder Tunmore has refused to reveal Steve’s full name to police.

But her friend fears that she has not told police the whole truth.

"My personal opinion is that something has happened and she's been there," he said.

"I 100% think she's covering for someone. She's a loyal person, but had nothing to do with violence.

"There is no way she done this the way she has told police. I think Karen is covering up for someone and made it up who she was with and what happened.

"She never mentioned Hendon Mad Dogs in all the time I knew her.

"Karen is hiding a lot more than what she has said and I know she is covering for someone."

He added:"At the end of the day if she's got herself wrapped up in this she's going to have to do the sentence., but I know there's someone else that should be doing one too. She needs to tell the truth now.

"If I don't get to the truth it's going to crack me up."