THE Court of Appeal has decided not to interfere with the sentence of Jordan Sheard, the 20-year-old who is serving a three-and-a-half year jail term for the manslaughter of Steven Simpson.

After Sheard's original sentence, campaign group Stop Hate UK asked the Attorney General to examine whether the sentence was too lenient.

Simpson, who was set alight at his 18th birthday party in Cudworth on June 22 of last year, died from his injuries a day later.

The court heard on July 10, 2013, that Steven was vulnerable, who suffered from Asperger's syndrome, was speech-impaired, epileptic and had learning difficulties.

Openly gay, he was described as a sociable person who had a large group of friends.

Lady Justice Rafferty said his friend, Miss Sweeney, said he was easily influenced and people could badger him into doing what is asked of him.

Jordan Sheard, 20, arrived at the party with a group at around 9pm. Over the course of the night, a large amount of alcohol was consumed.

Sheard and his friends persuaded Simpson to strip. It seemed good-natured fun, but the court heard Sheard had verbally mocked Simpson's sexuality as the night wore on.

At around 11pm, the police were called to the address on Pleasant View, after a complaint was received about the noise. The party continued after the police left.

A witness then saw Steven, now fully dressed, angry with Sheard and Brendan King. He told them to leave his bedroom but horseplay soon resumed.

By 2am, a number of people had left. The court heard that Steven's trousers were pulled down and his genitals were sprayed with tanning oil.

Sheard then held a lighter to his groin. Simpson was engulfed in flames. Those who were present then fled the scene. A guest attempted to extinguish the flames and rang 999.

After Sheard ran away, he later returned to the address and was arrested at 3.15am. In his original interview with the police, he claimed that Simpson had set himself alight, although he did later admit to holding the lighter to Steven's groin after being egged on.

Sheard claimed he did not intend to cause injury and that his actions were down to his drunken state. The Attorney General did concede that he did plead guilty, he is remorseful and he had been of good character.

In their conclusion, the Court of Appeal sided with the original sentencing. "We are wary of going further. We decline to interfere with the sentence of three-and-a-half years detention in a young offender institution."