A High Wycombe man who was jailed for his part in a knife murder at a town centre squat has failed in his bid for an early shot at parole.

Kieren George, then only 17, was one of a gang of three jailed for the killing of 20-year-old Jourdan Griffiths in June 2009.

Mr Griffiths was set upon and stabbed when he opened the door of the White Hart Street property to the trio.

Although prosecutors never found out which of the three had the knife, all were convicted of murder at Reading Crown Court the following year.

George, formerly of Spearing Road, Castlefield, was the youngest of the killers and received a minimum term of 11 years.

Applying for a cut to allow an earlier chance of release, he claimed he had made “exceptional progress” behind bars.

But after reviewing the case at the Royal Courts of Justice, Mr Justice Goss today upheld George's term.

Although he had shown signs of turning his life around, he had a long list of black marks against his name, even in prison, he said.

He had been reprimanded for fighting, using threatening behaviour and disobeying staff orders.

An assault on another prisoner had led to him being transferred from HMP The Mount, in Hertfordshire, to HMP Coldingley, in Surrey, last year.

He also continued to deny any role in the murder, the judge continued.

He said: “Accordingly, although there has been some progress during his period in custody, it cannot be said that Kieren George has made exceptional and unforeseen progress during his sentence.

“Further, although he suffers from a mild learning disability, there is no evidence that his welfare is or may be seriously prejudiced by his continued imprisonment.

“In these circumstances, there is no basis upon which to recommend any reduction in the original tariff.”

The decision means George will not be able to apply for parole until June 2020.