The killers of a psychiatrist who was murdered during a homophobic attack have had appeals to reduce their sentence refused.
Dr Gary Jenkins, 54, was savagely beaten by Jason Edwards, 25, Lee Strickland, 36, and Dionne Timms-Williams, 17, for 15 minutes in the early hours of July 20 last year. Edwards, who is from Liverpool, Strickland and Timms-Williams then left him covered in blood with his trousers pulled down to expose his genitals.
He was taken to hospital but died two weeks later on August 5, reports WalesOnline. In a trial earlier this year, sickening audio footage was played of Dr Jenkins pleading for help as they beat him to death behind a café in Bute Park, Cardiff.
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During the sentencing hearing, Judge Daniel Williams said: "Why the three of you formed such a toxic mix is something which may never be known. It seems each of you wanted to show off how little you valued human life. In a grotesque display of savage violence, you took the life of a man who valued life, his and others, very dearly."
Edwards was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 33 years. Strickland was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 33 years. Timms-Williams was sentenced to life detention with a minimum of 18 years.
A Court of Appeal hearing was held at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday where appeals made on Edwards and Strickland's behalf were heard. It was claimed the defendants' terms were excessive with insufficient weight given to their mitigation.
Mr Justice Martin Griffiths, Mrs Justice Alison Foster and Mr Justice Timothy Holroyde rejected the appeals, stating they had "no hesitation" in reaching the conclusion the sentences handed to the defendants were justified. Neither Edwards nor Strickland were present during the hearing.
At the initial sentencing hearing, a statement was read on behalf of Dr Jenkins' wife who described him as a "dedicated and hardworking doctor who was one of the most humane, kind, compassionate doctors one could ever come across". She added: "He always went the extra mile, advocating for his patients and making sure their needs were met at all times. He is greatly missed by his colleagues and the patients he treated and many tributes have been paid to him in various places that he worked as well as a vigil in Cardiff thanking him for his altruism and contributions to helping others.
"We cannot bring Gary back. There are no winners in this case, only losers but as a family we are relieved that justice is done and that through this harrowing process, we can hope to rediscover our trust in humanity and start to put the pieces of our lives together again and try to find some much-needed peace for us all."
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