Court of Appeal Hears Bid to Raise UK Triple Killer’s Sentence to Whole-Life Order

Nicholas Prosper, a 19-year-old who murdered his mother and two siblings and plotted a mass shooting at his former primary school in Luton, could have his minimum 49-year sentence increased to a whole-life order. The Solicitor General has referred the sentence to the Court of Appeal, describing the original term as "unduly lenient" and arguing that the seriousness of the offences merits a whole-life sentence. Prosper meticulously planned the crimes, including forging a firearms license and purchasing a shotgun and ammunition, with extensive premeditation aimed at achieving notoriety and potentially inspiring others. The murders involved extreme violence, including stabbing his brother more than 100 times, and the victims were aware of their attacker as they pleaded for their lives. The original judge ruled against a whole-life order because the planned school attack was prevented after the family murders occurred earlier than intended, but the Attorney General’s Office believes the exceptional seriousness justifies a full life term. The Court of Appeal hearing is taking place at the Royal Courts of Justice in London to determine whether Prosper’s sentence should be increased.