COLCHESTER double murderer James Fairweather hopes to appeal for a shorter jail sentence.

Fairweather, 17, was locked up for a minimum of 27 years for the murders of father-of-five, James Attfield, and University of Essex student, Nahid Almanea, two years ago.

Fairweather was just 15 when he carried out the attacks.

A month on from his conviction, defence barrister Simon Spence QC has confirmed Fairweather will appeal against his sentence, claiming 27 years is “excessive.”

The former Colchester Academy pupil, of Thorpe Walk, Colchester, will not appeal against the murder convictions.

Fairweather was sentenced at the Old Bailey after a two-week trial in London on April 29, where he was told he would not be eligible for release until he has served at least 27 years behind bars.

Fairweather denied murdering James Attfield and Nahid Almanea, instead admitting to two counts manslaughter by diminished responsibility and possession of an offensive weapon.

Mr Justice Robin Spencer QC, who presided over the case, described the murders as "brutal and sadistic" in his sentencing speech on April 29.

James Attfield, 33, was stabbed to death near to Lower Castle Park, in Colchester on March 29, 2014.

He had been stabbed 102 times.

Mr Attfield, of East Bay, Colchester, was known as Jim to friends and family.

He was found at about 5.30am by a female cyclist on her way into work.

Nahid Almanea, 31, of Woodrow Way, Colchester, was murdered on the Salary Brook Trail on June 17, 2014.

She studied at Essex University and lived with her brother, who normally acted as a chaperone.

Fairweather told doctors he could have killed 15 people and his aim was to become a serial killer.

He came from a loving family but blamed bullying for the voices in his head and the voices - or the devil - for what he did.

Fairweather claimed the voices in his head started at Colchester Academy when he was bullied and called "Dumbo and FA Cup" for his ears.