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European Court to rule on Jeremy Bamber life term European Court to rule on Jeremy Bamber life term
(about 1 hour later)
The European Court of Human Rights is due to rule on whether murderer Jeremy Bamber and two other killers should have their life sentences reviewed.The European Court of Human Rights is due to rule on whether murderer Jeremy Bamber and two other killers should have their life sentences reviewed.
Bamber, along with serial killer Peter Moore and Douglas Vinter, argue that the whole life tariff is "inhuman".Bamber, along with serial killer Peter Moore and Douglas Vinter, argue that the whole life tariff is "inhuman".
The court has previously ruled that such sentences do not violate a prisoner's human rights, but the matter was referred to its grand chamber for the final say.The court has previously ruled that such sentences do not violate a prisoner's human rights, but the matter was referred to its grand chamber for the final say.
The ruling is expected at 09:30 BST.The ruling is expected at 09:30 BST.
The three men are among a group of 49 people in England and Wales who are serving whole life tariffs.The three men are among a group of 49 people in England and Wales who are serving whole life tariffs.
This means they cannot be released other than at the discretion of the justice secretary on compassionate grounds - for example, if they are terminally ill or seriously incapacitated.This means they cannot be released other than at the discretion of the justice secretary on compassionate grounds - for example, if they are terminally ill or seriously incapacitated.
They claim that being denied any prospect of release amounts to "inhuman and degrading" treatment and this is a violation of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.They claim that being denied any prospect of release amounts to "inhuman and degrading" treatment and this is a violation of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
They say they should be entitled to have their tariffs reviewed.They say they should be entitled to have their tariffs reviewed.
The case was referred to the grand chamber after the men narrowly lost their first European Court hearing in 2012: three of the seven judges ruled in their favour.The case was referred to the grand chamber after the men narrowly lost their first European Court hearing in 2012: three of the seven judges ruled in their favour.
The court's first ruling concluded that the men's sentences were not "grossly disproportionate".The court's first ruling concluded that the men's sentences were not "grossly disproportionate".
Bamber was jailed for murdering five members of his family in Essex in 1985.Bamber was jailed for murdering five members of his family in Essex in 1985.
He has always protested his innocence and claims his schizophrenic sister Sheila Caffell shot her family before turning the gun on herself.He has always protested his innocence and claims his schizophrenic sister Sheila Caffell shot her family before turning the gun on herself.
Moore killed four gay men for his sexual gratification in north Wales in 1995.Moore killed four gay men for his sexual gratification in north Wales in 1995.
In 2008, Vinter, from Middlesbrough, admitted killing his wife Anne White. He had been released from prison in 2005 after serving nine years for murdering a colleague.In 2008, Vinter, from Middlesbrough, admitted killing his wife Anne White. He had been released from prison in 2005 after serving nine years for murdering a colleague.
'Pure revenge'
Last year, the Court of Appeal in London upheld the principle of whole life sentences for the most dangerous of offenders, saying it did not breach human rights.Last year, the Court of Appeal in London upheld the principle of whole life sentences for the most dangerous of offenders, saying it did not breach human rights.
At the time, the Lord Chief Justice said jail without the possibility of release should be "reserved for the few exceptionally serious offences".At the time, the Lord Chief Justice said jail without the possibility of release should be "reserved for the few exceptionally serious offences".
He said judges must be convinced those sentenced to whole life need to be held forever for punishment and retribution.He said judges must be convinced those sentenced to whole life need to be held forever for punishment and retribution.
Eric Allison, a former prisoner and the Guardian's prison correspondent, told BBC Radio 5 live that the UK did not have the death penalty and the prison system was about rehabilitation and reform.
He said whole life tariffs were about "pure punishment and pure revenge and we are better than that".
"We are human beings and we are capable of change. I spent time in prison. I did not kill anybody but I have seen people who did kill turn their lives around and that's the aim of the system. That should apply to all prisoners."
Rape victim Helen Stockford's attacker was a convicted murder and she has been campaigning to ensure he now stays in prison for life. She says some criminals do not deserve a second chance.
"They are given chances after chances and it seems they cannot live in society normally," she told BBC Radio 5 live.
"I feel I am doing the life sentence, not him," she said.