Outrage as killers get right to freedom after landmark ruling
The families of Midland murder victims whose killers were locked up for life today said they were 'horrified' that the monsters could be freed to walk the streets following a landmark legal ruling.
Angry relatives demanded to know why their rights were being ignored after the European Court of Human Rights ruled that life can never mean life as removing the chance of release is a breach of human rights.
Staffordshire MP Aidan Burley today blasted the ruling as 'sick and twisted' as it emerged Cannock Chase Murderer Raymond Morris is now considering a bid for freedom following the decision.
He said: "What about the victims' rights? Where are the rights of the people that have been murdered, and their families?"
Murderers Jeremy Bamber, Douglas Vinter and Peter Moore were told by the European judges that their whole life sentences amounted to 'inhuman and degrading treatment' because they had no hope of release.
The ruling has sparked further outrage among critics of the court - despite reassurances that the decision did not amount to grounds for imminent release.
Gavin Williamson MP for South Staffordshire is calling for Britain to leave the European Convention of Human Rights.
There are fears a string of the country's most evil killers can hope of freedom as life will not mean life. These include sadistic killer Victor Miller. The Wolverhampton warehouse assistant, then aged 32, abducted 14-year-old paper boy Stuart Gough on his round in Hagley village, and then murdered him in January 1988.
Stuart's mother Jean said she was 'horrified' by the ruling. Mrs Gough, now aged 69, said: "Where were Stuart's human rights? He lost his life and his rights. I hope the Government ignores this ruling."
Morris is serving life for the murder of seven-year-old Walsall girl Christine Darby in 1967. He is also the prime suspect in the killings of schoolgirls Margaret Reynolds and Diane Tift found on Cannock Chase.
All three were abducted, raped and murdered.
The release of Stephen Farrow, the murderer of Midlands grandmother Betty Yates is now also a possibility.
The full extent of homeless Farrow's violent past only emerged as he was convicted of two murders, including the killing the Rev John Suddards.
Express & Star readers have been voting on the issue of whole-life jail terms.
Of 439 people who voted 93 per cent said they believe whole-life jail terms are fair, with seven per cent saying they are not. The following comments were also made:
Colin Dodd: "Personally, I believe that anyone convicted of murder, beyond all doubt, (DNA can ensure this), should pay the ultimate price, but, sadly, this will never happen, so yes, life should mean life."
Tony Driver: "The question of fair or unfair should not be the criteria. The perpetrators of the type of crimes that attract whole life sentences have gone far beyond any consideration of fairness in their actions towards their victims."
Albrightondek: "Before making pronoucements about the inhuman life sentences handed to these killers, they should bear in mind the inhuman act the killers have done to their victims."
Just Me: "Maybe if we weren't so soft in the first place and made prison less of a luxurious place to stay, then we might deter a bigger number of potential lifers."
