A vicious murderer who killed for the third time while on day release from Springhill Prison has had his sentence extended to a whole-life term behind bars.
Ian McLoughlin, 55, slit the throat of 66-year-old grandfather Graham Buck in Little Gaddesden after being allowed out of jail for the first time in 21 years.
Hemel Hempstead MP Mike Penning argued that his 40 year sentence was unduly lenient, offering him a very slim hope of one day being released from prison, and made his case to the Attorney General.
At the time McLoughlin’s judge had said that he was unable to pass a whole-life term following a European ruling that it could be a breach of human rights.
McLoughlin had travelled on day release from Springhill to the Nettleden Road home of elderly paedophile Francis Cory-Wright, who he had met in prison, in July.
Mr Buck interrupted his robbery of Cory-Wright by coming to the aid of his neighbour after hearing him crying out for help.
Mr Buck paid for his neighbourliness with his life.
Speaking this week, Mr Penning welcomed the Appeal Court’s decision to extend McLoughlin’s sentence.
He said: “Common sense has prevailed at last and justice has been served.”