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George Baker will remain in prison for at least 18 years after his appeal to have his sentence reduced for murdering teenager Liam Ashley in a prison van was dismissed.
Baker, 25, who admitted murdering Ashley last year as they travelled in a Chubb security van to Auckland Remand Centre, last week argued his minimum non-parole period was too long.
But following submissions made in person to the Court of Appeal by Baker last week which the judges described as "rather limited", Baker's appeal was dismissed in a reserved judgment released today.
Baker initially appealed against his conviction as well as his sentence but only argued against his sentence in last week's hearing.
"I'm not trying to make out that I'm the victim here, I know I'm not the victim," Baker said last week.
"It's just...me and my mother, I talked to my mum and she just felt the sentence was too much."
He said he didn't receive adequate legal representation - though he agreed lawyer Tony Bouchier represented him well at his sentencing - and that the sentencing judge didn't take sufficient account of psychological issues.
Ashley's father Ian Ashley said the family was pleased with the decision and felt they could now put the court hearings behind them.
Baker strangled 17-year-old Ashley as they travelled together in the back of a prison van from North Shore District Court to Auckland Remand Centre.
Ashley was being taken to prison after his parents said they did not want him released on bail on a car-stealing charge and instead wanted him to experience the effects of breaking the law as an adult.
His death provoked outrage about younger prisoners being transported with adults and resulted in five separate inquiries, including a damning review by the Ombudsmen.
Chubb has since said it wants to end its contract with the Department of Corrections.
- NZPA
