A man who battered a poet 100 times with a claw hammer after they argued about his sexual performance could be freed from prison in three years.

Samson Gowar, who was only 18 when he murdered 38-year-old Deborah Thomas at her home in Park Crescent Road, Brighton, in March 1997, has been told by a judge he can apply for release as early as April 2011.

But during a review of the case at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Mr Justice Goldring refused to bring forward Gowar's potential release date.

He said 14 years, the minimum term, was the very least Gowar deserved for the "quite appalling offence".

However the news has been criticised by the co-founder of a charity which supports and campaigns on behalf of families and friends of murder victims.

Lyn Costello, co-founder of Mothers Against Murder And Aggression(MAMAA), said: "We are coming across this time and time again. People have someone close to them murdered and by the time they have learnt how to deal with it the killer is back on the streets.

"I don't believe 14 years is enough and most people in this country don't."

Mrs Costello added: "My sympathies go out to the family. If they have started to move on with their lives this could throw them back, knowing they could go shopping and see him on the street."

Gowar was given a life sentence in October 1998, after being convicted of murdering the mother-of-two after a night out.

Miss Thomas, who gave poetry recitals using the stage name Debo, worked with Gowar at the Brighton and Hove Jewish Nursing Home.

The pair had been drinking together in the Cheminees nightclub, in Western Road, on March 30, 1997.

They left the club together but police were later called to Miss Thomas' home, which was ablaze.

Her battered and naked body was found in the loft. A pair of tights were around her neck and a flex was tied to her wrist.

She had died of massive head injuries.

Mr Goldring said: "Gowar had hit her more than 100 times with a claw hammer.

"It is now said that he did so when, due to drink, he was unable to have sexual intercourse, which resulted in an argument."

He added: "Terrible violence was inflicted on a perfectly innocent woman in her home. There was an attempt to hide what was done by hiding the body and burning down the house.

"What happened was not pre-meditated. He was young. The offence was out of character. He had drunk a great deal of alcohol.

"He had, it is said, after the event attempted suicide. He is said to be remorseful."

Gowar can apply for his release in April 2011, but will only be freed if he is deemed safe by the Parole Board and will remain on licence for life.