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Mark Bridger drops appeal against whole-life prison sentence Mark Bridger drops appeal against whole-life prison sentence
(about 11 hours later)
The man convicted of the murder of five-year-old April Jones has abandoned his application for permission to appeal against his whole-life tariff.The man convicted of the murder of five-year-old April Jones has abandoned his application for permission to appeal against his whole-life tariff.
The move by Mark Bridger was confirmed on Monday by the Judicial Office. The move by Mark Bridger was confirmed on Monday yesterday by the Judicial Office.
Bridger kidnapped the child before sexually abusing her, murdering her and disposing of her body.Bridger kidnapped the child before sexually abusing her, murdering her and disposing of her body.
The former slaughterhouse worker was given the whole-life sentence by trial judge Mr Justice Griffith Williams after he was convicted by a jury at Mold crown court.The former slaughterhouse worker was given the whole-life sentence by trial judge Mr Justice Griffith Williams after he was convicted by a jury at Mold crown court.
It was originally thought that Bridger's appeal bid would be heard by leading judges at the court of appeal in London on 24 January.It was originally thought that Bridger's appeal bid would be heard by leading judges at the court of appeal in London on 24 January.
Bridger, a father of six, snatched April near her home in Machynlleth, mid-Wales, on 1 October 2012. Her body has never been found.Bridger, a father of six, snatched April near her home in Machynlleth, mid-Wales, on 1 October 2012. Her body has never been found.
Sentencing Bridger in May, Williams said: "There is no doubt in my mind that you are a paedophile, who has for some time harboured sexual and morbid fantasies about young girls." Sentencing Bridger in May, Williams said: "There is no doubt in my mind that you are a paedophile who has for some time harboured sexual and morbid fantasies about young girls."
He said Bridger had abducted April for a "sexual purpose" after he had been jilted by his girlfriend and then murdered the schoolgirl and disposed of her body to "hide the evidence of your sexual abuse of her". He said Bridger had abducted April for a "sexual purpose" after he had been jilted by his girlfriend, and then murdered the schoolgirl and disposed of her body to "hide the evidence of your sexual abuse of her".
Police believe Bridger dismembered April before dumping her body parts at various locations in the hills, rivers and forests surrounding his home in Ceinws, mid-Wales, after traces of her blood were found all over his rented cottage. Police believe Bridger dismembered April before dumping her body parts at various locations in the hills, rivers and forests surrounding his home in Ceinws, mid-Wales. Traces of her blood were found all over his rented cottage.
The judge said: "How you disposed of her body must remain a mystery. It will serve no purpose for me to speculate as to what happened but all the indications are that you burned at least a part of her in the wood burner."The judge said: "How you disposed of her body must remain a mystery. It will serve no purpose for me to speculate as to what happened but all the indications are that you burned at least a part of her in the wood burner."
Fewer than 50 other criminals in the UK have been handed sentences which mean they must spend the rest of their lives behind bars.Fewer than 50 other criminals in the UK have been handed sentences which mean they must spend the rest of their lives behind bars.
Others serving whole-life terms include the Moors murderer Ian Brady, who tortured and murdered children along with his accomplice Myra Hindley. Others serving whole-life terms include the Moors murderer Ian Brady, who tortured and murdered children along with accomplice Myra Hindley.
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