European court rules that life can never mean life

Jeremy Bamber killed five family members in 1985. Credit: Paul Faith/PA Wire

European judges have ruled that life can never mean life for prisoners because it is a breach of human rights.

The sentences of murderers Jeremy Bamber, Douglas Vinter and Peter Moore amount to "inhuman and degrading treatment", the European Court of Human Rights said.

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.

ITV News deputy political editor Chris Ship reports:

Judges ruled by 16 to one that there had to be possibilities of both a release and review of the sentence.

However, the panel said that this ruling did not mean there was "any prospect of imminent release" for the three killers.

David Cameron's spokesman said the Prime Minister was "very, very disappointed" by the ruling.

Bamber, who murdered five members of his family but maintains his innocence, said he felt "hollow" despite winning the appeal in Strasbourg.

Who are Jeremy Bamber, Douglas Vinter and Peter Moore?

  • Jeremy Bamber killed his parents, sister and her two young children in 1985. He still maintains his innocence.

  • Douglas Vinter was jailed for killing Robert Eden in a railway cabin in 1996. He was later released and then went on to kill his wife in 2008.

  • Peter Moore murdered four gay men for his sexual gratification in 1995.

Peter Moore killed four gay men for his sexual gratification in 1995. Credit: PA

The father of April Jones, whose killer Mark Bridger received a whole-life tariff, said today's ruling was "gutting".

Paul Jones said the European Court of Human Rights should not interfere with British justice system.

Bridger was sentenced for April's murder on May 30 and under the new ruling could be eligible for review by 2048, when he would be 83-years-old.

Mark Bridger was sentenced to a whole life term for the murder of April Jones. Credit: PA

Under current UK law, whole-life tariff prisoners will almost certainly never be released from prison as their offences are deemed to be so serious.

They can be freed only by the Justice Secretary Chris Grayling, who can give discretion on compassionate grounds when the prisoner is terminally ill or seriously incapacitated.

The Prime Minister's position of being a "strong supporter" of the whole-life tariff was criticised by the director of Prison Reform Trust, who said Mr Cameron needed to focus on rehabilitation and redemption.