Menu
29/09/2005
Huntley to serve 40 years
Double child murderer Ian Huntley is set to serve at least 40 years in jail.
Sentencing Huntley today at the High Court, Mr Justice Moses said that Huntley's offences did not meet the criteria for a "whole-life" tariff, but he said that the 40-year tariff offered little or no hope of release.
Former school caretaker Huntley, 31, was convicted of the murders of Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells in 2003 and received two life sentences.
The two girls, both aged 10, disappeared from their homes in August 2002. Huntley and his then girlfriend Maxine Carr were arrested following the discovery of the girls' bodies.
Carr, convicted in December 2003 for perverting the course of justice, was given a three-and-a-half year custodial sentence, and has since been released.
Mr Justice Moses said that under the 2003 Criminal Justice Act a "whole-life" tariff could only be set in sadistic or sexual cases, involving abduction or a high degree of premeditation.
While he said it was "likely" that Huntley had enticed the girls into his house, this was not proven and while there was the "likelihood" of a sexual motive, there was no evidence to support this view.
Mr Justice Moses said: "In those circumstances the starting point should not be a whole-life order."
However, he said that Huntley must have killed one of the girls to avoid that girl disclosing the murder of the first and had concealed and attempted to destroy the bodies. This, said Mr Justice Moses, showed Huntley's "lack of remorse".
Huntley, who it emerged had previously been accused of rape and having sex with underage girls, will be eligible for parole in 2042.
The announcement of the minimum prison sentence for Huntley was deferred due to procedural changes in the setting of tariffs under the Criminal Justice Act 2003.
Previously the Home Secretary set the minimum tariff in such cases, but under the 2003 Act, a High Court judge sets the term to be served.
(SP)
Sentencing Huntley today at the High Court, Mr Justice Moses said that Huntley's offences did not meet the criteria for a "whole-life" tariff, but he said that the 40-year tariff offered little or no hope of release.
Former school caretaker Huntley, 31, was convicted of the murders of Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells in 2003 and received two life sentences.
The two girls, both aged 10, disappeared from their homes in August 2002. Huntley and his then girlfriend Maxine Carr were arrested following the discovery of the girls' bodies.
Carr, convicted in December 2003 for perverting the course of justice, was given a three-and-a-half year custodial sentence, and has since been released.
Mr Justice Moses said that under the 2003 Criminal Justice Act a "whole-life" tariff could only be set in sadistic or sexual cases, involving abduction or a high degree of premeditation.
While he said it was "likely" that Huntley had enticed the girls into his house, this was not proven and while there was the "likelihood" of a sexual motive, there was no evidence to support this view.
Mr Justice Moses said: "In those circumstances the starting point should not be a whole-life order."
However, he said that Huntley must have killed one of the girls to avoid that girl disclosing the murder of the first and had concealed and attempted to destroy the bodies. This, said Mr Justice Moses, showed Huntley's "lack of remorse".
Huntley, who it emerged had previously been accused of rape and having sex with underage girls, will be eligible for parole in 2042.
The announcement of the minimum prison sentence for Huntley was deferred due to procedural changes in the setting of tariffs under the Criminal Justice Act 2003.
Previously the Home Secretary set the minimum tariff in such cases, but under the 2003 Act, a High Court judge sets the term to be served.
(SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 December 2003
Soham murder accused admits killing Jessica Chapman
Ian Huntley, the man accused of murdering two 10-year-old schoolgirls in Soham last August, has today admitted that he was responsible for the death of Jessica Chapman. Mr Huntley, who denies murdering the girls, was in the witness box at the Old Bailey today to give evidence during the second day of the defence case.
Soham murder accused admits killing Jessica Chapman
Ian Huntley, the man accused of murdering two 10-year-old schoolgirls in Soham last August, has today admitted that he was responsible for the death of Jessica Chapman. Mr Huntley, who denies murdering the girls, was in the witness box at the Old Bailey today to give evidence during the second day of the defence case.
17 December 2003
Child killer Huntley handed down two life sentences
Ian Huntley has been handed down two life sentences for the murder of Soham schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. Maxine Carr, Huntley's former girlfriend, was sentenced to three and a half years for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. She was found not guilty on two charges of assisting an offender.
Child killer Huntley handed down two life sentences
Ian Huntley has been handed down two life sentences for the murder of Soham schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. Maxine Carr, Huntley's former girlfriend, was sentenced to three and a half years for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. She was found not guilty on two charges of assisting an offender.
19 June 2003
Huntley report finds 'serious systems failures'
The report into Ian Huntley's "incident of self-harm" which left him in a coma has uncovered a number of "serious systems failures" within the Prison Service.
Huntley report finds 'serious systems failures'
The report into Ian Huntley's "incident of self-harm" which left him in a coma has uncovered a number of "serious systems failures" within the Prison Service.
04 December 2003
Maxine Carr distances herself from Ian Huntley
During evidence to the Old Bailey today, Maxine Carr lashed out at her former boyfriend saying she would not take the blame for "what that thing in the box has done to me", referring to Ian Huntley. Ms Carr, 26, told the court that she had been forced to lie to police by her "very controlling" boyfriend.
Maxine Carr distances herself from Ian Huntley
During evidence to the Old Bailey today, Maxine Carr lashed out at her former boyfriend saying she would not take the blame for "what that thing in the box has done to me", referring to Ian Huntley. Ms Carr, 26, told the court that she had been forced to lie to police by her "very controlling" boyfriend.
16 December 2003
Soham murder jury sent home for third day
The jury at the Old Bailey trial into the deaths of two 10-year-old Soham schoolgirls has been sent home today after their third day of deliberations. The jury has now spent 17 hours considering their verdict since Mr Justice Alan Moses closed his summing up on Friday morning.
Soham murder jury sent home for third day
The jury at the Old Bailey trial into the deaths of two 10-year-old Soham schoolgirls has been sent home today after their third day of deliberations. The jury has now spent 17 hours considering their verdict since Mr Justice Alan Moses closed his summing up on Friday morning.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
