A MORECAMBE man found guilty of a horrific killing which shocked the local community has failed in his bid to have his murder conviction quashed. The Court of Appeal in London has upheld the life sentence imposed on Peter Thomas for beating a father-of-four to death in Skerton. Alan Curtis, 41, was murdered in Mainway as he returned home from his local pub and, during the trial, the jury heard that Thomas used an electric guitar to beat Curtis to death.

On Tuesday, the Appeal Judge, Lord Justice Kennedy, said there was ample evidence that the 21-year-old caused some of the blows that led to Mr Curtis's tragic death.

And Thomas had even spoke of his involvement in the attack on the murder victim and his friend, Andrew Parker.

Lord Justice Kennedy added that the attack could only be explained by drink, although Thomas claimed that he and his accomplice, Darren Rae, had been offended by something the victims had said.

Refusing Thomas' appeal, he concluded that there could be no criticism of the handling of the Preston Crown Court case in last July and that the jury were entitled to convict. Thomas was not in court to hear the decision.

The motiveless killing sent shockwaves through the community back in 1996 and, during the trial, Thomas was described by the judge as a "very dangerous young man."

Sentencing both Thomas and Rae to life imprisonment, Mr Justice Douglas Brown said: "You two, without reason or warning, attacked two innocent men, total strangers to you both, walking home after a pleasant evening out. Both of you played an active part in bringing Mr Curtis' life to a sudden and brutal end."

Thomas, of Anstable Road, Bare, was jailed for murder, causing grievous bodily harm and stealing his guitar.

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