A MURDERER who fatally kicked and stamped on a helpless friend lying “insensible through drink” must serve 14 years behind bars for his crime, a top judge has ruled.

Darren Glen Greenacre, now 32, was jailed for life at Canterbury Crown Court in December 1998 after he was convicted of murdering his one-time friend, Edwin Adams.

Mr Adams and Greenacre shared a flat with others in Prince of Wales Terrace, Deal, amid a culture of heavy drinking, said Mr Justice David Clarke on Tuesday, but there had been tension between the two men earlier in the day.

Death came to Mr Adams on December 3, 1997 as he lay “insensible through drink” on the stairs of the flat.

Greenacre set upon him in two separate attacks, unleashing savage stamps and kicks all over his prostrate body.

Mr Adams died the next day.

After reviewing the case at London’s High Court, Mr Justice David Clarke fixed Greenacre’s tariff, the minimum time he must serve before he can apply for parole, at 14 years.

The judge said he had received “moving” testimony from Mr Adams’ sister, Margaret Redfern, together with submissions from Greenacre himself, testifying to his deep sense of remorse and desire to change.

Allowing for time spent on remand, the 14-year tariff means Greenacre may apply for release on parole in December 2011.

But Greenacre will only then be released if he can persuade the Parole Board he is no longer a public menace.

When freed, he will remain on perpetual life licence – subject to instant prison recall if he commits any crime.