QUADRUPLE killer Mark Hobson will appeal against his "life means life" sentence within a matter of weeks, the Evening Press has learned.

The former binman jailed for the murders of Claire and Diane Sanderson and James and Joan Britton will lodge his appeal case at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on November 1.

His solicitor, Keith Haggerty, said on that date, Hobson - through his barrister, Jeremy Richardson QC - would be asking a judge for permission to appeal against his sentence, a request which could either be granted or turned down. If granted, the appeal could then be heard either by the same judge or a panel of justices.

"There might not be a full decision on November 1," said Mr Haggerty.

Hobson's case set a legal precedent when he was jailed in May - as a "whole life" tariff had never before been imposed on someone who had pleaded guilty.

Mr Haggerty said Hobson would be appealing against his sentence on the grounds of his early guilty plea.

He said: "The argument here is that there has never been anybody in his position - who has actually done the decent thing and pleaded guilty, to still be told he will never be released.

The rules actually state that a person pleading guilty early can rightfully ask the court for a reduction."

Mr Haggerty said he had written to Hobson to ask if he would like to attend his appeal hearing, but did not yet know whether the killer would be making the trip to London.

Ian Harrison, boyfriend of murdered Diane Sanderson, has said he will not be going to the capital. Catherine Wilkins, daughter of Hobson's Strensall victims James and Joan Britton, also said she would not be travelling to London.

Hobson was given four life sentences by a judge at Leeds Crown Court earlier this year, after he admitted murdering twins Claire and Diane Sanderson, in Camblesforth, near Selby, and pensioners James and Joan Britton in July 2004.

Updated: 11:00 Tuesday, October 18, 2005