A DERANGED killer who savagely bludgeoned a man to death with a spanner before mutilating his body, has failed to convince top judges he deserves an earlier shot at parole.

Former brass bandsman James William Spencer repeatedly beat 67-year-old Peter Green, inflicting fatal injuries, after a drinking binge.

The 28-year-old, of Skelmanthorpe, admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility after a psychiatric report revealed he had undiagnosed Asperger’s Syndrome.

He was handed imprisonment for public protection – which is almost identical to a life sentence – at Bradford Crown Court in March 2010 and was ordered to serve at least nine years behind bars before he could even apply for parole.

Appearing via videolink at the Court of Appeal, in London, Spencer listened as his lawyers argued the minimum term set by the crown court judge was ‘too long’.

But his appeal was dismissed by three of the country’s most senior judges who said the term was ‘not excessive’ in light of the ‘substantial’ aggravating features in the case.

And Mr Green’s widow, Linda – who was at the Court of Appeal – said: “He showed absolutely no remorse. In his case he should be imprisoned for life and he should never be released.”

The court heard Mr Green was house-sitting for Spencer’s mother while she was on holiday in Spain when he was fatally attacked during the early hours of October 19, 2008.

While she was away, Spencer’s mother had said he had to stay elsewhere and the court heard he had gone to Mr Green’s house in the days before the killing, saying he was unhappy at not being allowed into the house.

After a drinking binge on October 18, he armed himself with a spanner and went to Mr Green’s house again, but got no answer so went to his mother’s house in Lidgett Lane, Skelmanthorpe.

He broke down the door before subjecting Mr Green to the horrific and savage attack in which he sustained 30 separate injures to his head, neck and face.

Blood found in the house and defence wounds on the victim’s body indicated Mr Green had tried in vain to escape and to fight off his attacker.

Once he was dead, Spencer inflicted eight stab wounds to Mr Green’s body and deep cuts to his wrists.

A psychiatric report revealed he had ‘complex’ mental health issues, including traits of Asperger’s Syndrome which doctors said meant he felt isolated and gave him ‘fixed ideas’ in response to events.

They also said he had issues with alcohol and that his condition was likely to be exacerbated by his drinking.

His lawyers argued the minimum term set by the crown court judge was over the top and didn’t take sufficient account of his admission of guilt or his mental condition.

But, dismissing the appeal, Lord Justice Pitchford said the term was ‘justified’.

The judge, sitting with Mr Justice Burton and Sir Geoffrey Grigson, added: “The appellant set out, in the middle of the night, to confront a man against whom he had an irrational grievance.

“We are satisfied that the appellant attacked a man who was vulnerable by reason of his age and his extremely slight build.

“He beat the deceased savagely to death and mutilated the body after death.

“We have little doubt that the deceased suffered the terrifying experience of trying to escape from what he knew to be a murderous attack.”

Once he has served a nine-year minimum term, Spencer will only be released when the Parole Board is satisfied he no longer poses a public danger.