Killers fail to overturn life sentence

Lawson and Lawless are serving life in prison

The two men serving life in prison for the murder of an elderly Grimsby man have failed in their appeal bid to prove their innocence.

Ian Lawless, 41, of Conway Avenue and Gary Lawson, 21, of Ludlow Avenue, were led away from the dock in the Court of Appeal to continue their sentences.

They were found guilty of murdering Alf Wilkins, 67, at Hull Crown Court in February 2002.

The retired merchant seaman died after inhaling smoke when arsonists set fire to his flat in Arundel Walk, Grimsby, in February 2001.

He had recently been cleared of indecently assaulting an eight-year-old-girl, but had been the victim of taunts and abuse following his trial at Grimsby Crown Court in November 2000.

Michael Lawson QC, representing Lawless, had argued that their convictions were "unsafe and unsatisfactory".

But Lord Justice Kennedy rejected those claims and the pair were ordered to continue their sentences.