A man who killed his girlfriend during an outdoor sex session after drinking 45 pints of beer in 36 hours will serve at least 16 years behind bars.

Mrs Justice Rafferty recommended the sentence for Lee Portwine, of Pound Hill Parade, Crawley, at a hearing at Inner London Crown Court.

Portwine, 38, was jailed for life by Lewes Crown Court in March after he admitted murdering Una Whitney.

He was brought back to court yesterday for a minimum sentence tariff to be decided following probation reports.

Ms Whitney, who was 38, suffered 135 separate injuries following the attack by her boyfriend.

The couple had consumed large amounts of alcohol and drugs when they left a friend's wedding reception on July 26 last year.

They walked into woods close to the Gatwick Worth Hotel, near Crawley, where a fierce argument broke out.

Lewes Crown Court was told Portwine had pushed earth into the care assistant's mouth and then headbutted her because he was embarrassed someone might hear them arguing.

They argued when Ms Whitney began shouting he was hurting her during sex.

Tests showed she had probably choked to death on the mud while unconscious.