Soho bomber David Copeland loses appeal over sentence

The immediate aftermath of the bomb blast at the Admiral Duncan pub in Soho

David Copeland, the Soho nailbomber who killed three people in 1999, has lost an appeal to have his sentence cut.

The 35-year-old, from Hampshire, set off three bombs over the course of two weeks designed to kill and seriously injure London’s gay, Asian and black communities.

Sixty-three people were injured by bombs he set off in Brick Lane and Brixton, but the final and most devastating incident took place in Soho, the heart of London’s gay scene.bIn that attack, three people, including a pregnant woman, were killed and 79 were injured.

The bomber, who told police he was a neo-Nazi when arrested, was found guilty the following year of three murders and three offences of planting bombs. He was handed six life sentences for the attacks. Originally, Copeland was told that he must serve a minimum of 30 years before he can be considered for parole.

In 2007, a judge increased that sentence to a minimum of 50 years.

Copeland attempted to appeal the decision but the Court of Appeal ruled this week to uphold it.

Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge said: “It is difficult to exaggerate the horror of these appalling crimes, which stemmed, as far as we can see, from the appellant’s abhorrent beliefs. Having reflected on this awful case, we have come to the conclusion that the appeal should be dismissed.”

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