A MAN who strangled his girlfriend in a hotel can apply for freedom on parole in less than five years following a judge's ruling.

John Paul Hirst murdered girlfriend Gill Wolfenden, 34, at the Old Mill Hotel, Ramsbottom, in November 1999, after she tried to leave their hotel room following a row.

Hirst, of Tonge Moor Road, Bolton, pleaded guilty to murder at Manchester Crown Court on June 12, 2000 and was sentenced to life in prison.

And now Mr Justice Wilkie, after reviewing the case at London's Royal Courts of Justice, has ruled he must serve a minimum of 13 years behind bars.

The judge told the court that the couple had a "volatile relationship characterised by Hirst becoming agitated and abusive towards Miss Wolfenden, but thereafter showing contrition".

Hirst at first told police he had dreamed he had strangled Jill, of Clarendon Road, Bolton, and woke up to find it was true, running a defence of "non-insane automatism."

However he eventually admitted the murder, of which he said he had no recollection.

Setting the tariff at 13 years, Mr Justice Wilkie said: "The guilty plea here does show at least the belated acceptance of real responsibility together with an appropriate expression of remorse."

The decision means that, after time spent on remand has been taken into account, Hirst can apply for freedom on parole in December 2012.