Alex Rodda killer Matthew Mason has his sentence reduced

Matthew Mason, now 20, was sentenced to serve a minimum of 28 years in January, but has successfully appealed to have that reduced to 26.

He was told by a judge at the time of his original sentencing he had 'an unbreakable intention' to kill his victim - 15-year-old schoolboy Alex Rodda - who had been lured to the woods on December 12 2019 where Mason bludgeoned him to death with a wrench.

During the month long trial, Mason denied deliberately killing Alex, saying instead he had lost control, despite admitting hitting him with the wrench, that he had concealed up his sleeve, 15 times.

The scene where Alex Rodda's body was found

The trial also heard how Mason claimed he had paid Alex around £2000 in cash to keep quiet about their sexual relationship.

However, after more than nine hours of deliberation, the jury didn't believe Mason's account and they delivered a majority 10-2 guilty verdict, as the killer sat quietly sobbing in the dock.

When sentencing him in January, Judge Everett, The Honourary Recorder for Chester, told Mason it was clear he had carefully planned the murder and ruthlessly carried it out.

He said: "You had already formed an unbreakable intention to kill him.

"The manner and force with which you carried it out truly beggars belief.

"This was a premeditated murder.

"It was carefully planned and ruthlessly carried out.

"You had callous regard for him and his family and friends.

"No sentence I pass will ever come anywhere near satisfied Alex’s family or friends or come anywhere to compensating them for their loss."

The spanner used to strike Alex Rodda 15 times

Judge Everett told Mason the starting point for the murder was a minimum of 25 years because of the fact he went equipped with a weapon but that sentence was increased due to the aggravating features of the case.

He said: "You will go into custody for life.

"There must be a minimum term of 25 years because you took a weapon to the scene.

"There was a significant degree of planning.

"You also left him to die and you attempted to dispose of his body.

"These are all aggravating features and they outweigh the mitigating factors."

After considering the written and oral submissions the Court of Appeal judges agreed to reduce the minimum sentence handed to Mason from 28 years to 26 years.

Matthew Mason, who was 18 at the time he killed 15-year-old Alex

Alex’s family said in a statement after the original sentence: "Our son Alex was a wonderful, gentle, loving, kind, caring, respectful boy who loved life and lived life to the full.

"His precious life was cut short all too soon at the hands of Matthew Mason.

"Mason admitted killing Alex from the outset of this trial but still felt the need to put us through the trauma of this trial in an attempt to minimise his sentence.

"He never once considered the pain it would put our family through or indeed his own family.

"We have never come across a more selfish, cold and calculating person.

"Mason has attempted to blame Alex and discredit his name throughout this trial and thankfully the jury were able to see through his web of deceit.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank the jury for coming to the right decision."