The father of Emily Longley says he's relieved his daughter's killer will have to serve his full sentence, now a British court has turned down his appeal.
The Court of Appeal in London on Wednesday dismissed Elliot Turner's appeal against the conviction and threw out his bid to have his sentence reduced.
The 21-year-old is serving a life sentence for murdering 17-year-old Emily Longley in May 2011. He must serve a minimum non-parole period of 16 years.
Ms Longley's father Mark Longley said it appeared prison life had take its toll on Turner who, at the appeal, had lost the cocky arrogance he had displayed during the trial.
Mr Longley told Radio New Zealand's Morning Report programme that knowing Turner will have to serve his full sentence is like having a cancerous tumour removed, and the family can now remember Emily for the bright young light she was in their lives and not for what Turner did to her.
Listen to Mark Longley