A MAN who was jailed more than a decade ago for killing his partner has failed in a High Court bid to have his sentence cut.

John Dore, 34, brutally murdered Kim Banyard, the mother of his child, at their home in Pitsea on her 22nd birthday in January 2003.

Despite claiming he acted in self-defence, Dore was convicted of murder later that year and jailed for at least 16 years.

On Friday, Dore’s case returned to court as the murderer appealed for his sentenced to be reduced, claiming he was a changed man.

The court heard Dore had made “exceptional and unforeseen progress” during his time in prison.

He had twice saved his cellmate’s life by preventing him from committing suicide.

Dore also helped others by providing support on his prison’s drug rehabilitation unit, despite having no history of substance abuse himself, he claimed.

Mr Justice Singh, sitting at the High Court, in London, said Dore’s actions in prison were “undoubtedly to his credit”.

But the most significant events had happened in January 2003 when he decided to murder Miss Banyard, he continued.

“This was a very serious offence, which had aggravating features,” he added.

Upholding Dore’s 16-year term, he said that, had he been sentenced today, he might have got even longer.

He will only be freed after serving his term if the Parole Board is convinced he is not dangerous.

Dore, who was 20 at the time, lived with Miss Banyard, in Travers Way, Pitsea, and they had a baby boy in October 2002, but the relationship between them broke down.

He beat her to death with a blunt object at their home and was later seen lifting the body from the boot of a car, having prepared a shallow grave.

Media personality Jodie Marsh, a friend of Miss Banyard, went on to spearhead a high-profile domestic violence campaign in her memory.