A KILLER who turned his victim into a human fireball by pouring petrol over him and setting him alight must serve a minimum of 15 years behind bars.

High Court judge Mr Justice Bennett ruled that was the least Mark Towell deserved for the "brutal and quite horrific killing" of vulnerable 49-year-old Gateshead care assistant Lenny Leak.

The judge's decision means that Towell must serve a minimum of 15 years before he can apply to the Parole Board for release.

Even then, he will only be freed if he is no longer considered a public danger. He will remain on "life licence" for the rest of his days, subject to recall to prison if he puts a foot wrong.

The judge described how, in September 2001, Towell, then aged 26, stunned his victim, a father of four, with a punch, before pouring five litres of petrol over him and laying a trail which he ignited with a cigarette lighter.

He said: "The deceased caught fire, suffered burns over 80 per cent of his head and body, and died as a result. Towell intended to kill him as opposed to inflicting grievous bodily harm."

Outlining the motive for the killing, the judge said Mr Leak had lived with Ann Young, whose adult daughter, Nicola, had had a relationship with Towell.

The relationship had ceased by the middle of 2001, but Towell was desperate for a reconciliation.

At his Newcastle Crown Court trial, Towell claimed Mr Leak's death was an accident, but the jury convicted him of murder and he was jailed for life in July 2002.

Setting his tariff yesterday, Mr Justice Bennett said he had written to the Home Secretary after the trial, confirming that, in his view, the killing was premeditated.