Killer: Bell, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter with diminished responsibility |
Martin Bell, 45, killed Gemma Simpson in a “frenzied attack” with a hammer and a knife.
The twisted killer repeatedly stabbed her head before sawing her legs off and leaving her in a bath for four days.
Now he has launched an appeal in a bid to get his jail term slashed from 12 years to six.
His victim’s dad has reacted with fury at the news warning that Bell would kill again if he was ever released.
Schizophrenic Bell confessed to Gemma’s killing, 14 years after she vanished. He claimed God had told him to kill the 23-year-old in 2000.
Bell finally walked into a police station last July to confess he had buried her in a North Yorkshire beauty spot.
Bell, who had moved to Scarborough, was originally charged with murder which was later reduced to manslaughter with diminished responsibility, to which he pleaded guilty.
His victim’s father, Glenn Simpson, 59, from Leeds, West Yorks, said he is horrified his daughter’s killer is appealing.
He told the Daily Mirror: “He was given such a paltry sentence for such a horrific crime and now he even wants that reduced.
“To me it shows he feels no guilt for what he has done.
“I am appalled he is appealing, this is an insult to the family and to Gemma’s memory.
“He is adding massively to our family’s pain.
“It is hard to describe the suffering and torment that my family have been through, not just the 14 years that our Gemma was missing but also the pain of learning of her death and its circumstances.
“To see the charge reduced to manslaughter and then a pathetic 12 year sentence handed down outraged us.
“Now to learn that this could be reduced by half because of 'human rights' laws beggars belief.”
The dad said when he saw him in court he could not look at the family.
“He’s playing the game. I just wonder how much its cost in legal aid,” he said
“I think it was premeditated and he killed my Gemma because she was a tiny little thing who challenged him about his unhealthy interest in very young girls.
“He said in one of his police interviews he’d attacked her because she said something about the children. That later changed in court to saying it was because of God.
“I think he’s a psychopath and a very, very dangerous man.
“If he gets out I would be frightened for other women - particularly young girls, that’s his thing.
“I know he would do it again and next time maybe to a child.
“This appeal has stopped us saying goodbye to our Gemma.”
Gemma’s sister, Naomi Carrack, 42, from Leeds, who runs her own business, said his appeal is due to be heard in October.
She said: “I cannot even say that man’s name. I call him MB.
“He had an obsession with Gemma, who was very young at the time.
“He’d hang around outside my mum’s house. My sister was a lesbian but he was infatuated with her. It was uncomfortable when he was there.
“Gemma used to say he was odd but I think she just felt sorry for him. We didn’t understand the risk at the time.
“It was just so callous how she died.
“He only confessed to clear his own conscience. We didn’t need to know this. This is all for him.
“He rang an old girlfriend and she threatened to inform on him if he didn’t own up. But I wish he’d never confessed.
“She must have been in agony and in such terror. Her injuries were horrific. I wish we didn’t know that!
“All I want is for the police to ring me and tell me he’s dead. It feels like the justice system is for him and not for us.
“He can appeal but we’re not allowed any input. He has destroyed my entire family. I just wish he’s accept responsibility.”
The appeal court is due to announce its decision in October.
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