A TEENAGE killer has been told he will serve a minimum of 28 years behind bars after being told he had 'an unbreakable intention' to kill his victim.

Matthew Mason, who recently turned 20, of Ash Lane, Ollerton, murdered 15-year-old Alex Rodda by bludgeoning him to death with a wrench in secluded woodland in Ashley on December 12 2019.

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."

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."

Judge Everett had earlier told Mason how he had a clear and firm conclusion about how he had murdered the much loved, popular and naive teenager.

"Although I accept Alex Rodda may well have initiated contact with you, I am sure you not only responded, but you actively encouraged a sexual relationship.

"You encouraged your young victim in what where clearly his first sexual experiences.

"You groomed him.

"All of your behaviour in the latter part of 2019, was in my judgement, directed in selfish pursuit to stop people learning what you had done.

"Giving lie to the fact you were at breaking point.

"In reality it was all about you.

"You cared not a jot for anyone else.

"I have heard substantial evidence, that lead me to conclude he was still immature and had no real concept of consequences of some of his actions.

"You made a firm and clear decision to kill Alex Rodda.

"It wasn’t something you did on spare of the moment."