A killer serving life for the "senseless and sadistic" murder of a teenager in Maidstone in 2001 has won the chance of an earlier shot at parole.

Michael William Everest murdered 18-year-old Lee Humphreys after the "wholly innocent" youth went with him to his flat in Hastings Road.

Now 34, Everest was ordered to serve at least 18 years behind bars after being convicted of the murder at Maidstone Crown Court in February 2002.

But his minimum term has now been reduced to 16-and-a-half years after Mr Justice Bean, sitting at London's High Court, ruled he had made exceptional progress during his time in jail.

The judge said that, while he showed no regret at the time of his trial, he had since demonstrated "genuine and significant remorse".

He said Everest's disciplinary and work records in jail were exemplary and he had been in a low security category since 2008.

The judge also said there were positive references from staff at prisons where he has been an inmate, including the former HMP Blundeston, in Suffolk, and HMP Wayland, in Norfolk.

He added: "I accept that he has made exceptional progress... and I consider that a reduction should be made in the minimum term to be served before he is eligible to be released on licence, if the parole board so decide, from 18 years to 16-and-a-half years, and I order accordingly."

Everest will not be released until the Parole Board is satisfied it is safe to allow him back into society.