ONE of the killers of a Hull schoolboy, who was chased and beaten to death, has had his sentence cut.
Leon Clarkson was one of two teenagers convicted of murdering 15-year-old Lee Conman in 2006.
He was chased by a gang of 20 youths before he was hit over the head with a tree branch, punched and kicked to death outside a shop in Ings Road, east Hull.
Police said he had suffered some of the worst head injuries they had ever seen.
Clarkson, who was 16 at the time of the killing, was sentenced to life in prison and was ordered to spend at least 11 years behind bars.
Lee Young, who struck the fatal blow, was also convicted of murder and sentenced to at least 12 years.
After a hearing at the High Court, judges reduced Clarkson's minimum sentence by nine months after hearing he had made excellent progress in prison.
He could now be released on parole in four years' time.
The killing was described by Mr Justice Cranston as "a completely senseless murder of an innocent young man" at yesterday's hearing.
However, a prison officer, who works with Clarkson, said there had been a "remarkable change" in him since the start of his sentence.
Clarkson has written a letter to Lee's sister, Jessica, because he felt that he "owed an explanation to the victim's family", the court heard, and regularly suffered flashbacks to the night of the killing.
The officer said: "I regard him as a success story and a model to follow for any other angry individuals who think that the world is against them."
Lee was targeted at random by the gang of youths from Bransholme, who were looking for a fight with someone from the Ings Road Estate in retaliation for an attack on Clarkson three months earlier.
He was struck several times over the head with a tree branch by Young, breaking his skull "like an eggshell".
He and Clarkson then repeatedly punched, kicked and stamped on Lee as he lay dying.
As Young kicked an unconscious Lee in the head, he shouted at him: "Remember my name: Youngy."
The trial judge, Mr Justice Langstaff, said the attack had a "tribal element" to it and was sparked by Clarkson's "thirst for revenge".
However, the High Court was told that Clarkson was sensible, helpful and popular on the prison wing and wanted to become an accountant when he was freed.
Mr Justice Cranston said: "I am persuaded that this is one of those unusual cases where the progress shown by Clarkson in terms of an improvement in attitude and behaviour goes beyond what would be expected.
"In my view, there has been exceptional and unforeseen progress in terms of Clarkson's attitude and behaviour, his regret about his crime and victim awareness."
Clarkson will be eligible for parole in 2017, but will only be released if he is no longer considered a danger.
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