Menu
10/10/2012
Criminals Launch Appeal Over Life Sentences
Appeals are to be launched by five of the UK's most dangerous criminals over their life sentences for murder and rape.
Their cases will be heard by five judges at the Court of Appeal in London, which includes the Lord Chief Justice and Lord Justice Leveson.
One of the men is Kiaran Stapleton, found guilty of murdering Indian student Anuj Bidve in Salford last year.
Some legal observers are seeing their appeals as a test of the whole-of-life term.
Four of the five men were given whole life tariffs, meaning they would spend the rest of their lives in prison.
These five appeals come ahead of separate cases also being heard at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
Judges there had ruled in January that the whole life term handed down to convicted murderer Jeremy Bamber and two other men did not amount to inhuman and degrading punishment.
Condemning people to die in jail was not "grossly disproportionate" and in each case London's High Court had "decided that an all-life tariff was required, relatively recently and following a fair and detailed consideration", the judges ruled.
But that ruling will now be tested by the court's Grand Chamber in Strasbourg after a panel of five judges granted the appeal by killer Douglas Vinter, who stabbed his wife in February 2008.
(H)
Their cases will be heard by five judges at the Court of Appeal in London, which includes the Lord Chief Justice and Lord Justice Leveson.
One of the men is Kiaran Stapleton, found guilty of murdering Indian student Anuj Bidve in Salford last year.
Some legal observers are seeing their appeals as a test of the whole-of-life term.
Four of the five men were given whole life tariffs, meaning they would spend the rest of their lives in prison.
These five appeals come ahead of separate cases also being heard at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
Judges there had ruled in January that the whole life term handed down to convicted murderer Jeremy Bamber and two other men did not amount to inhuman and degrading punishment.
Condemning people to die in jail was not "grossly disproportionate" and in each case London's High Court had "decided that an all-life tariff was required, relatively recently and following a fair and detailed consideration", the judges ruled.
But that ruling will now be tested by the court's Grand Chamber in Strasbourg after a panel of five judges granted the appeal by killer Douglas Vinter, who stabbed his wife in February 2008.
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 October 2010
Delays For Asbestos Victims
More delays are now expected for asbestos victims after appeal judges referred their compensation claims to the Supreme Court. Judges were unable to agree on a High Court ruling that insurers are liable for damages from when the victims were exposed to asbestos.
Delays For Asbestos Victims
More delays are now expected for asbestos victims after appeal judges referred their compensation claims to the Supreme Court. Judges were unable to agree on a High Court ruling that insurers are liable for damages from when the victims were exposed to asbestos.
05 September 2007
Judge Calls For Complete DNA Database
A senior British judge has called for everyone in the UK and every visitor to be added to the national DNA database. Lord Justice Sedley, one of England's most experienced Appeal Court judges, told the BBC that the current database in England and Wales, which contains DNA from suspects and crime scenes, was "indefensible".
Judge Calls For Complete DNA Database
A senior British judge has called for everyone in the UK and every visitor to be added to the national DNA database. Lord Justice Sedley, one of England's most experienced Appeal Court judges, told the BBC that the current database in England and Wales, which contains DNA from suspects and crime scenes, was "indefensible".
04 May 2005
Pellet gun teacher freed
The Court of Appeal has freed Linda Walker, the teacher who was jailed for firing a pellet gun during an argument with a group of youths. The 48-year-old special needs teacher from Urmston, Greater Manchester received a six month jail sentence after being convicted of affray and possessing a firearm on March 29.
Pellet gun teacher freed
The Court of Appeal has freed Linda Walker, the teacher who was jailed for firing a pellet gun during an argument with a group of youths. The 48-year-old special needs teacher from Urmston, Greater Manchester received a six month jail sentence after being convicted of affray and possessing a firearm on March 29.
17 February 2015
Man Arrested In Connection With Mugging 92-Year-Old
A man has been arrested in connection with the mugging of a 92-year-old man outside his home in Soho. Police had issued an appeal for information after Stanley Evans was pushed to the ground in the communal entrance of Ingestre Court tower block and mugged.
Man Arrested In Connection With Mugging 92-Year-Old
A man has been arrested in connection with the mugging of a 92-year-old man outside his home in Soho. Police had issued an appeal for information after Stanley Evans was pushed to the ground in the communal entrance of Ingestre Court tower block and mugged.
03 October 2003
2,000 extra deaths recorded during August heat wave
The Office of National Statistics (ONS) has reported that, during the recent heat wave, there were more than 2,000 deaths over and above the monthly average. On each of the 10 days from August 4 to August 13, estimated numbers of deaths in England and Wales were above average for those days over the last five years.
2,000 extra deaths recorded during August heat wave
The Office of National Statistics (ONS) has reported that, during the recent heat wave, there were more than 2,000 deaths over and above the monthly average. On each of the 10 days from August 4 to August 13, estimated numbers of deaths in England and Wales were above average for those days over the last five years.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A rather cloudy morning, with a little patchy light rain or drizzle to start. Skies clearing and becoming dry and increasingly sunny in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 13 °C.Tonight:Dry with prolonged clear spells through the evening and overnight. This will allow for some fog patches to develop in places overnight. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
