Huntley to spend 40 years in jail

Ian Huntley cannot be considered for release from jail until he
has spent 40 years in prison, Mr Justice Moses announced yesterday,
writes Clare Jerrom.

The High Court judge said the former caretaker’s actions
of pretending to exhibit innocent concern following the murders of
Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells in August 2002 showed his lack of
remorse.

“I must emphasise that I have not ordered that this
defendant will not spend the rest of his life in prison,”
said Mr Justice Moses. “The order means that the Parole Board
cannot even consider his release on license until the defendant has
spent 40 years in prison.”

“The minimum term of 40 years is the equivalent of a fixed
term of nearly 80 years. The order I make offers little or no hope
of the defendant’s eventual release,” he concluded.

Huntley is believed to be on suicide watch at Wakefield jail
following the announcement.