A BLACKBURN man locked up for a gang-land style killing failed to win a cut in his manslaughter sentence after judges ruled his crime was as close to murder as it possibly could be.

Anthony O'Reilly, of Albion Mill, Ewood, Blackburn, pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court in January last year with two co-accused and was later sentenced to 13 years imprisonment.

The 37-year-old's legal team challenged the sentence as "manifestly excessive" and argued he hadn't been given a big enough discount for his guilty plea.

But Lord Justice Auld, sitting at London's Court of Appeal with Mr Justice Gray and Mr Justice Crane, ruled drug dealer O'Reilly hadn't got a day too long for shooting Darren Bell.

Chief Inspector Neil Smith, of Blackburn, said after the hearing: "The decision of the court was appropriate in the circumstances and it didn't warrant a reduction in sentence.

"I'm sure the family of the victim are pleased with the result."

Lord Justice Auld said: "This offence with all that led up to it, was as near a case of murder as might be," said the judge.

"To fire a loaded shotgun through an open door knowing full well there were people inside the house, no doubt frightened and trying to escape, was an act of utmost recklessness.

"In all circumstances we can see no reason why the court should review the sentence of 13 years for this grievous offence, and we refuse this application to appeal."

Lord Justice Auld told the court O'Reilly -- who had a bad criminal record -- his co-accused and Mr Bell began arguing over a drugs transaction and their feud "escalated."

On the night of the killing the three men took drugs -- as well as drinking at a local public house -- before going to the home of an associate of Mr Bell.

They kicked down the door before returning to the public house where they all took an ecstasy tablet and left again, this time to confront Mr Bell in his own home.

All three were armed with sawn-off shotguns -- those belonging to O'Reilly and one of his co-accused were loaded -- and they banged on the door demanding it be opened.

Lord Justice Auld said Mr Bell tried in vain to open the door, and then ran to the kitchen -- situated at the back of the house -- and tried to open the back door.

There he was confronted by O'Reilly, who fired his shotgun at Mr Bell when he was just inside the kitchen, fatally wounding him.

At the same time one of the co-accused fired through the front door, injuring two more people in the house.