THREE killers have been given lengthy sentences for sadistically murdering a teenager in a re-enactment of a scene from a spoof horror film.

Simon Everitt, originally from Escomb, County Durham, was tied to a tree, doused in petrol then burned alive, Norwich Crown Court was told.

A judge today imposed three life sentences on his killers.

Mr Justice Calvert-Smith said Jonathan Clarke, 20, of Telford, Shropshire, would remain in prison for at least 27 years before being considered for parole.

He said Jimi-Lee Stewart, 25, of Great Yarmouth, would serve a minimum term of 22 years.

And the judge said Maria Chandler, 40, also of Great Yarmouth, would stay in jail for at least 17 years.

The three defendants were convicted of murder in May after a trial in Norwich.

All three had denied murder.

Jurors were told Simon was targeted after going out with a woman who had been in a relationship with Clarke.

The teenager, who had previously been assaulted by Clarke, was lured to his death and subjected to a mock trial before being set alight. The killing was allegedly inspired by a comedy horror film called Severance.

The court heard the three killers had tried to cover their tracks and throw police off the trail.

Mr Justice Calvert-Smith said Clarke was the instigator of the plot and was sadistic.

But he said the trios attempts to commit a perfect murder had unravelled partly because Clarke could not stop boasting about what he had done.

Jurors also heard Stewart confessed to his mother Susan and she called police.

Clarke and Stewart smirked and whispered in the dock as Mr Justice Calvert-Smith passed sentence today. Stewart shouted something towards the public gallery as he left and made V sign.