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‘Heinous’
Mark Hobson
MURDERERS challenging life sentences could be set free if their appeals succeed.
But Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams said this week that some crimes are so heinous that “life should mean life”, including the case of quadruple killer Mark Hobson who eight years ago, aged 35, brutally murdered twin sisters Diane and Claire Sanderson of Camblesforth.
Hobson (above), who was dubbed Britain’s “most wanted man” at the time, also went on to kill pensioners Joan and James Britton of Strensall near York.
He was arrested after an eight day nationwide manhunt, involving more than 500 police officers and 12 police forces
He was tried in April 2005, and after pleading guilty was sentenced to four terms of life imprisonment with a recommendation that he should never be released.
This was one of the first times that such a recommendation had been made for someone who had admitted their crime at the first opportunity. He is currently incarcerated at Wakefield Prison.
But now, appeals are beind made against life sentences by other British killers, which, if successful could pave the way for Hobson to do the same.
Among those appealing at London’s Court of Appeal are multiple rapist Michael Roberts and Kiaran Stapleton, who shot an Indian student in Salford at point-blank range.
The European Court of Human Rights’s Grand Chamber in Strasbourg is also due to hear separate appeals by criminals against a ruling made in January that their whole life terms did not amount to “inhuman and degrading punishment and were not grossly disroportionate”.
Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams said: “Whilst I am in favour of rehabilitation for most offenders there are some heinous cases where life should mean life. Hobson’s case is one of those. As someone who lived in Camblesforth and still has family there, I know the whole community will be appalled at the mere suggestion that he could have a case for release.
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Sunday 26 May 2013
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