A TEENAGE murderer who punched a stranger in the face in a fatal attack in Bolton town centre has seen his punishment reduced - as he has been a "model prisoner".

Eden Lomax, then 17, had attacked two others, the week before, before hitting Simon Mitchell in Victoria Square on a drunken night out in June 2013.

Tragically Mr Mitchell, aged 43, fell and hit his head on a concrete slab, suffering "catastrophic brain injuries", Manchester Crown Court was told.

Jailing Lomax for life after he was convicted of murder, trial judge Mr Peter Openshaw said: "He has a cowardly enthusiasm to resort to violence against men who are unable through drink to defend themselves."

Lomax, of Northwood Crescent, Deane, who had been drinking cider laced with vodka that night, was told that he would serve a minimum of 10 years, less the 174 days he had spent on remand.

But now Mr Justice Hilliard has told the Court of Appeal he believes the tariff for the killer should be reduced to nine years because of the "exceptional progress" he had made while serving his sentence at HMP Dovegate in Staffordshire.

The court heard Lomax had undertaken extensive therapy at the prison and had completed a number of alcohol-related violence and substance misuse programmes.

His personal officer at Dovegate noted that he had become the chairman of the therapuetic community there and had had 'enhanced' status at the establishment for five years.

Allowing the appeal, Mr Justice Hilliard said: "The applicant (Lomax) had also completed offending related work as regards alcohol and violence, restorative justice, anger management, and courses on self-control, motivation to change and relapse prevention.

"He had improved his educational and vocational prospects, gaining qualifications in painting and decorating, carpentry and joinery, business ventures, English and Maths.

"In my judgment, the applicant satisfies the criteria as regards exceptional progress."

The judge said he had also broken ties with his brother, who was thought to be a poor influence.

But Mr Justice Hilliard added: "It should be clearly understood that this reduction does not mean that he will be released after the expiry of the reduced period.

"He will not be released unless and until the Parole Board concludes that it is safe to do so. However, the Parole Board will be able to make that assessment earlier than was previously the case."

Mr Mitchell had confided in Lomax and his friends, who he did not know, that he had contemplated suicide. Lomas is said to have taken exception to his remarks as his stepfather had taken his own life nine years earlier.