Readers of The Spalding and South Holland Voice reacted with anger and surprise at news that the 15-year-old couple who murdered Spalding mum and daughter Liz and Katie Edwards have appealed their minimum 20-year sentences.
Lawyers acting for the teenagers, who were 14 at the time of the killings in April last year, argued that the sentences were “manifestly excessive” and “wrong in principle”.
Judges sitting at the Court of Appeal in London are expected imminently to give decisions on the sentencing and whether a court order banning publication of the murderers’ identities should be lifted.
A post on The Voice’s Facebook page about the appeal taking place on May 4 drew plenty of comments from readers.
Heather Dakteris received lots of support for her comment: “It’s not possible for the victims to appeal their deaths so I don’t see why their murderers should be given an option.”
Wendy Ray wrote: “Personally I think 20 years is lenient anyway. What did they want – a slap on the wrist? They murdered two innocent people and for some reason think they deserve some life left to enjoy themselves. I think it should be doubled and maybe they will think seriously about their actions.”
And Lewis Cray posted: “They showed no remorse for their pre planned disgusting crime and should never see daylight.”
