Gang member was just 17 when he beat student to death and set him on fire

A TAMIL gang member who beat a student to death before setting fire to his body has failed in a bid for an early release from prison.

Sathees Arulananthan was just 17 when he took part in the brutal murder of slightly-built 18-year-old, Supenthar Ramachandran in Kingsbury in 2002.

Mr Ramachandran was held against his will by the gang and made to buy them a meal before being beaten to death, covered in petrol and set alight.

Arulananthan, who went to fetch the petrol, was ordered to serve at least 14 years for murder before he could even apply for parole.

Today (Wednesday) at the High Court his lawyers argued today that his minimum term should be slashed to take account of his ‘exceptional progress’ in custody

Various reports shown to top judge, Mr Justice Bean, spoke of Arulananthan’s ‘extreme remorse’ and ‘shame’ at his role in the murder and said he had developed from an immature and irresponsible teenager into the chairman of his prison wing.

Currently serving his sentence at Huntercombe Prison as a low security prisoner, he was described as ‘showing immense maturity’ and ‘an embodiment of many therapeutic principles’ with an “almost unblemished record of good behaviour’.

He had been involved in a ‘porn scandal’ at one prison in 2009 and there had also been ‘a relatively minor episode of criminal damage’.

However, Mr Justice Bean said his behaviour was not quite good enough to meet the ‘stringent criteria’ for a reduction in his minimum jail term.

Arulananthan’s 14-year minimum term means he can apply for parole in June 2017.

However, the judge today held up some hope of an earlier release, telling him he could re-apply to the High Court for a reduction if his exemplary behaviour continues.