The surviving members of convicted mass murderer Jeremy Bamber's family have welcomed the news that his appeal has failed.
Bamber last night announced on his website he had lost his appeal against conviction for the murders of five members of his family.
Today three Court of Appeal judges confirmed his plea for freedom had failed.
Relieved - Peter Eaton reads the statement on behalf of members of Bamber's family outside the Court of Appeal
Bamber was jailed for life in 1986 for shooting his adoptive parents June and Nevill Bamber, 61, his sister Sheila Caffell and her twin six-year-old sons Nicholas and Daniel at White House Farm in Tolleshunt D'Arcy.
Peter Eaton, husband of Bamber's cousin Ann, read a statement from the steps of the court.
Looking pale and speaking quietly to crowds of waiting journalists, he was surrounded by members of his family, who still live in White House Farm, and the Boutflours, who live and farm in Wix near Harwich.
He said: "We hope now to move on with our lives, safe in the knowledge that Bamber is behind bars for the rest of his life.
"We hope that the younger generation of our family are allowed to live free from the intrusions we have had to endure."
And Brian Mugford, father of Bamber's former girlfriend Julie Mugford -whose evidence was crucial in his conviction - also welcomed the result.
He said: "Justice was done in 1986 and we are very pleased to see it has been thoroughly investigated and proved to be substantiated."
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Thursday, December 12, 2002
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