The man who killed former Beatle John Lennon has been denied parole for the sixth time.

Mark Chapman, 55, will remain imprisoned until at least August 2012 before he can re-apply for release.

Chapman, who shot Lennon dead in New York in 1980, was interviewed via video by the New York state parole board.

They acknowledged his his institutional record, but noted the murder’s “premeditated, senseless and selfish act of tragic consequence”.

Lennon would have turned 70 next month.

His widow Yoko Ono has organised a host of celebrations, including two special gigs in Los Angeles.

(by Jason Gregory)