Huntley

[djtaz11398]

Did i hear right on the news last night that huntlys life sentences are only 10 years each?

[Jenny Tools]

Ian Huntley has been given a mandatory life sentence but the tariff - the minimum term he actually serves - has yet to be decided. Until a year ago it would have been down to Home Secretary David Blunkett to decide the length the murderer stayed in prison. But the system of tariff-setting is in the process of being changed. From Thursday offences such as Huntley's will carry whole life terms. Because Huntley's offence was committed in August 2002, his case is subject to transitional arrangements. This means the minimum term that he will serve in prison will be decided by an appeal court judge - to be appointed by the judiciary - not the trial judge

[darth vader]

blimey Jenny are you saying they will be able to start handing out "life means life" sentences? about time too....

[rja211077]

tut tut Jenny, we like people to acknowledge their source around here! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3328621.stm

[bernardo]

I heard on the radio that it would be 50 years.

[Greedyfly]

Life should be life!

[archbishop]

A life sentence in this country means for the rest of your life. But most lifers serve a minimum time in prison and depending on their reports if favourable can be released under licence and can be returned to prison for any subsequent offence. They are always under licence until death.