Judges hearing bids on whole-life jail terms
Whole-life sentences were being placed under the spotlight today as judges carry out test case reviews.
A panel of five Court of Appeal judges in London were hearing bids by two killers to challenge orders against them which mean they must spend the rest of their days behind bars.
The outcome of the case will help determine the legality of whole-life sentences and could prompt a look at the cases of all offenders who have told they must spend the rest of their lives in jail.
They include Mark Bridger, the killer of five-year-old April Jones in Machynlleth and Jamie Reynolds, who killed 17-year-old Georgia Williams in Telford.
Today's applications are being made by Lee Newell, who murdered child killer Subhan Anwar in prison, and murderer and rapist Matthew Thomas.
The actions are being heard by the Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas, sitting with Sir Brian Leveson, Lady Justice Hallett, Lord Justice Treacy and Mr Justice Burnett.
The central legal issue at the hearing before the judges will be the nature of the sentencing scheme for whole-life orders and the compatibility of such an order with the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Government has said that whole-life tariffs are "wholly justified in the most heinous cases".
But such terms were deemed a breach of human rights following a successful appeal to the European Court of Human Rights by murderers Jeremy Bamber, Douglas Vinter and Peter Moore.
Last year the trio won a ruling that their whole-life sentences amount to "inhuman and degrading treatment".
Whole-lifers should be entitled to a review of their sentence 25 years into their term at the very latest, the Grand Chamber of the Strasbourg-based court said.
The ruling by 17 judges from across Europe sparked further outrage among critics of the court, despite reassurances that the decision did not amount to grounds for imminent release.
Newell, 44, is challenging a whole-life sentence imposed last September at Warwick Crown Court.
He was convicted alongside Gary Smith for the February 2013 murder of convicted child killer Anwar in his cell at Long Lartin Prison, Worcestershire.
Convicted rapist Thomas was told "life means life" after murdering a newly-wed bride and then kidnapping and raping a second woman in Luton last November.
There are 49 prisoners serving whole-life terms in England and Wales, including Moors murderer Ian Brady, who tortured and murdered children along with accomplice Myra Hindley, and serial killer Rosemary West.
Mark Bridger last month scrapped plans to appeal against his sentence and Jamie Reynolds has also indicated that he will not appeal.
The judges are expected to reserve today's decision.
