LEE Dent, the convicted killer of Alex Peguero Sosa, has had an appeal against the length of his sentence dismissed at the Court of Appeal in London.

Dent, 42, was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 22 years at Plymouth Crown Court in March this year.

He had denied murder but was found guilty at the two-week trial after the jury unanimously rejected his version of events.

The court heard that Dent and Alex were both socialising separately with groups of friends in Kingsbridge on Saturday, July 5 2014.

The two groups became embroiled on the Quay when an argument began over a video being filmed with a mobile phone.

The argument escalated and ended when Dent stabbed Alex in the neck with a broken bottle, resulting in massive blood loss. Alex died in Derriford Hospital later that night.

Alex, 17, was a sixth form student at Kingsbridge Community College and a member of Plymouth Argyle’s youth squad.

High Court Judge, Mr Justice Nigel Teare, imposed a life sentence, with Dent having to serve a minimum of 22 years before he can be considered for parole.

Dent, who lived in East Portlemouth, claimed he was unaware he was holding a broken bottle in his hand when he struck the Aveton Gifford teenager.

On Wednesday, police sergeant David Green, Kingsbridge Neighbourhood Team Leader said: ‘Appeal Court judges Lord Justice Tracy, Mr Justice King and His Honour Judge Aubrey ruled the original trial judge was correct in his starting point of 15 years and that the aggravating factors of this sickening murder required a significant uplift in minimum tariff to be served.

‘They accordingly dismissed the appeal to the relief of the family and police.

‘There are no further avenues of appeal open to Dent, so the recommended minimum term of 22 years, as set at his original trial, will stand.

‘This therefore represents the end of a long and difficult road for the community of Kingsbridge, and an even longer one for Alex’s family.’