This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/manchester/6269859.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Delay on schoolboy killer appeal Schoolboy killer appeal delayed
(30 minutes later)
The family of schoolboy Joe Geeling face a wait before a decision is made on whether his killer's sentence should be extended.The family of schoolboy Joe Geeling face a wait before a decision is made on whether his killer's sentence should be extended.
Michael Hamer, 15, repeatedly stabbed 11-year-old Joe, before dumping his body in a park in Greater Manchester. Michael Hamer, 15, repeatedly stabbed 11-year-old Joe before dumping his body in a park in Greater Manchester.
Hamer was jailed for life for murder with a minimum term of 12 years.Hamer was jailed for life for murder with a minimum term of 12 years.
On Wednesday three appeal court judges heard the Attorney General's argument the sentence was too lenient and will make their ruling at a later date. Three appeal court judges are to rule at a later date over whether they agree with the Attorney General's argument that the sentence was too lenient.
At his trial at Manchester Crown Court, the jury was told that on 1 March 2006, Hamer lured Joe back to his house, where he fatally beat him 16 times with a frying pan, before dumping his body. At his trial, Manchester Crown Court was told that on 1 March 2006,Hamer lured Joe back to his house where he fatally beat him 16 times with a frying pan, before dumping his body.
'Aggravating factors''Aggravating factors'
At Wednesday's hearing at the Court of Appeal, sitting in London, the argument, on behalf of the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith QC, was that the tariff imposed on Hamer was "unduly lenient". Edward Brown, acting for the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith QC, told the Court of Appeal in London that the tariff imposed on Hamer was "unduly lenient".
The hearing followed a request to the Attorney General by prosecutors.The hearing followed a request to the Attorney General by prosecutors.
Sir Igor Judge, Mr Justice Gray and Mr Justice Henriques were asked by Edward Brown, counsel for the Attorney General, to rule the minimum term should have been longer as the 12 years did not reflect the "many aggravating factors" in the case. Sir Igor Judge, Mr Justice Gray and Mr Justice Henriques were asked by Mr Brown, to rule that the minimum term should have been longer as 12 years did not reflect the "many aggravating factors" in the case.
After hearing argument from Mr Brown and from David Steer QC, on behalf of Hamer, who was not present in court, the judges reserved their decision to a later date. After hearing arguments from Mr Brown and from David Steer QC, on behalf of Hamer, who was not present in court, the judges reserved their decision to a later date.
Joe Geeling was stabbed 16 times by Hamer
Tom and Gwen Geeling, Joe's parents, had said Hamer's sentence was too short.Tom and Gwen Geeling, Joe's parents, had said Hamer's sentence was too short.
A massive search was launched for Joe, a cystic fibrosis sufferer, after he failed to return home from St Gabriel's High School in Bury on the day he died. A search was launched for Joe, a cystic fibrosis sufferer, after he failed to return home from St Gabriel's High School in Bury on the day he died.
His body was found hidden under debris in a gulley in Whitehead Park the next day.His body was found hidden under debris in a gulley in Whitehead Park the next day.
After the attack, Hamer dragged Joe's body downstairs, put it in a wheelie bin and took the bin to Whitehead Park, where he hid it. Joe Geeling was stabbed 16 times by Hamer
After the attack, Hamer dragged Joe's body downstairs, put it in a wheelie bin and took the bin to the park, where he hid it.
The court heard that the killing was probably triggered by Joe's rejection of a sexual advance by Hamer.The court heard that the killing was probably triggered by Joe's rejection of a sexual advance by Hamer.
Mr Brown said the sexual element was an "aggravating factor".
He told the judges: "The way in which Joe's body was moved and deposited has been particularly upsetting for those directly concerned in the case, but also reflects the attitude of the offender following the killing."
He added: "It is recognised that there are mitigating features. In particular, the offender's age.
"He was of good character. There was no history of violence and it was accepted on all sides that the offender pleaded guilty at the first opportunity."
Hamer was also suffering from an "adjustment disorder". Mr Steer said it had always been conceded on Hamer's behalf that "this was a most dreadful killing".
He told the judges that he feared he would be bullied if Joe "were to tell of what happened".