Georgia Williams' killer appeals against his whole-life sentence
Jamie Reynolds today appealed against his whole-life sentence for the murder of Telford teenager Georgia Williams.
Reynolds appeared in court via video link from HMP Wakefield. His previously curly hair was cropped short and he was clean shaven, looking entirely different from how he did at his sentencing.
Wearing a plain white shirt and skinny black tie, Reynolds answered to his name and Mr Michael Duck QC applied leave to appeal his whole life term.
Lord Chief Justice John Thomas said that the court would not be giving a decision on Reynolds' appeal today but it will be handed down in writing.
Reynolds, 23, was jailed in December last year for murdering the 17-year-old after luring her to his home and carrying out a meticulously planned and sexually motivated attack in May last year.
Live coverage from the Royal Courts of Justice
He was jailed at Stafford Crown Court and told by Mr Justice Wilkie that he would never be free. Mr Justice Wilkie said Reynolds, of Avondale Road, Wellington, had the "potential to become a serial killer".
In 2008, Reynolds was cautioned by police when, aged 17, he lured a girl back to his home and tried to strangle her in an attack that mirrored Georgia's murder.
Today's hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London has the potential to set a precedent on any future appeals for freedom made by the most dangerous killers sentenced to life behind bars.
The Lord Chief Justice said that due to the gravity of the case he must view the images made by Reynolds of Georgia as he killed her to understand fully what happened.
The court heared that Reynolds had pleaded guilty. But the Lord Chief Justice said: "It is incontestable from what he recorded" and "the evidence was completely overwhelming".
Mr Michael Duck QC for Reynolds said: "He did not suffer from a mental disorder but he clearly did have something of a complex mental health background."
Mr Richard Whittam QC for the Crown said: "There was a long held desire to do something that he then did. Perhaps the most striking feature is the story he had written."
He said: "It's clearly an exceptional case, assessed carefully on the facts, and it was an appropriate sentence for this offence.
"Having succeeded in killing her he then carried out precisely what he had written as was his desire and then thereafter the coolness when going to dispose of the body."
The court heard Reynolds's case after that of another child killer, as the judges believe they may be able to issue guidance which would apply in future cases.
Georgia Williams' parents Steve and Lynnette were also in court today to oppose their daughter's killer's appeal.
The couple said they want to make sure Reynolds is never freed from jail.
Mr and Mrs Williams told the Shropshire Star earlier this week that "it devalues Georgia's life if we don't have a full life sentence".
See also: Georgia Williams' parents vow to fight murderer's appeal
