RELATIVES of Mark Hobson's victims say they have been left in limbo while top judges decide whether he should spend the rest of his life in jail.

Catherine Wilkins, the daughter of murdered York pensioners Joan and James Britton, spoke out after the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips, said the Appeal Court in London would reserve judgement on an attempt by Hobson's lawyer to challenge his "whole life sentence".

Hobson was jailed for life in May at Leeds Crown Court after admitting murdering Claire Sanderson and her sister, Diane, at his flat in Camblesforth, North Yorkshire, and Mr and Mrs Britton at their home in Strensall.

The trial judge, Mr Justice Grigson, also imposed a "whole life tariff", forcing Hobson to spend the rest of his days behind bars.

Hobson's case reached the Appeal Court yesterday as his QC, Jeremy Richardson, challenged the fairness of that tariff, considering his guilty plea.

The case raises far-reaching issues about the sentencing powers of judges in murder cases where defendants have admitted the charge.

Mr Richardson told the appeal court that Hobson "may well never be released", but a reduction in tariff was important to show "the law is properly reflecting the guilty plea in this case".

He said however awful Hobson's crimes, he had pleaded guilty early and deserved credit.

But Crown counsel Paul Worsley QC said the trial judge had taken the correct 30-year "starting-point" before concluding that life should mean life for Hobson.

The relevant sentencing guidelines also made clear there could be no reduction for a guilty plea in a case "so awful on its facts".

Hobson had little choice but to plead guilty given the "overwhelming" evidence against him, he said.

Hobson killed his girlfriend, Claire Sanderson, 27, at his flat a week before he lured her sister, Diane, to his home and killed her too. Hobson subjected Diane to a "macabre and bizarre" sexual attack before murdering her.

Hobson had struck Claire 17 times with a hammer, then suffocated her.

A week later he slew Diane, before leaving both sisters' bodies wrapped in bin bags.

The day the bodies were found, Hobson took a cocktail of drink and drugs and walked into the home of Joan and James Britton at Strensall, near York, and attacked them with a walking stick and a knife.

Lord Phillips said the court would reserve its decision, which focuses on the interpretation of key sentencing guidelines.

The court will give its ruling at a later, unspecified, date.

Mrs Wilkins said afterwards she was not surprised by the outcome of the hearing.

"I was expecting something like that. But I just want it to be all over. I am sick of waiting for things to happen. Once it's all over and done I can move forward.

"The delay is annoying, but that's the law. I have no idea how long it will take now."

Updated: 09:26 Wednesday, November 02, 2005