A BOREHAMWOOD man who strangled his friend to death then scattered his dismembered body parts across the countryside has failed in his bid to reduce his sentence.

Stephen Thomas Edward Marshall, 39, of Ayot Path, was jailed for 36 years after admitting murdering Jeffrey Howe at St Albans Crown Court in January.

He challenged the length of his jail term at the Court of Appeal today but was denied by top judges who said the horrific case warranted the lengthy prison stay.

Marshall will not be eligible for parole until he is aged 74 and only then if he is no longer deemed to be a risk to the public.

Jeffrey Howe, 49, was stabbed to death at his home in Southgate, Enfield, between March 8 and 9 last year and his body parts were found at four locations in Hertfordshire and one in Leicestershire between March 22 and April 11.

The killer first met Mr Howe on the job as they both worked in sales. Marshall then moved into his flat in December 2008 rent-free but refused to leave despite promising to do so.

After murdering Mr Howe on March 8, he then spread the kitchen salesman's body at various locations across Hertfordshire and Leicestershire discovered later by police.