A former semi-pro footballer from Warrington who was jailed as a teenager for the screwdriver murder of an 18-year-old man has failed to have his earliest release date brought forward.

Sibongiseni Majola, aged 24, killed Stuart Lowe by stabbing in the head with a screwdriver in a fight following a party at the Bank Quay Social Club in October 2007.

Majola was told he could not be freed before late 2019, but applied to a High Court judge for a reduction to allow an earlier bid for parole.

His lawyers said his progress since he was locked up was 'exceptional' and should result in a cut in the minimum term.

But although Mr Holroyde commended Majola for his good behaviour in prison, he said the progress was not exceptional and so did not justify a cut.

The judge said Majola was not normally a big drinker but was drunk at the doomed party when a fight erupted.

He left the club, went back to his house with another youth and the pair armed themselves with weapons.

After running into Mr Lowe in the street Majola drove the screwdriver into Mr Lowe's skull.

The judge said Majola had been a 'quiet and reserved' youth, a college student and semi-professional football player.

He showed a good level of empathy for his victim, had behaved very well and was a 'model prisoner', said his lawyers.

In a letter, the defendant said he had at first blamed drink for his actions, but had come to understand that it was his own fault.

But Mr Justice Holroyde said: "In my judgment, there has been significant development, in particular his acceptance of full responsibility for his actions, but I am unable to describe his progress as exceptional.

"I cannot say that his progress is significantly different from what which could, should and would have been expected of him when he began his sentence.

"I reach that conclusion with some regret, because I wish to commend Mr Majola for the way in which he has dealt with his loss of liberty.

"I would not wish to deflect him from the course which he has very sensibly taken."