Schoolgirl Sarah Payne's murderer, Roy Whiting, had his 50-year minimum jail term cut by 10 years by a High Court judge in Britain today.
Paedophile Whiting (51) was not present to hear Mr Justice Simon announce his decision on the number of years he must spend behind bars before he can apply for parole.
Whiting was jailed for life in 2001 for the kidnap and murder of eight-year-old Sarah, from West Sussex.
The girl's mother, Sara, who has campaigned tirelessly for victims' rights and for a change in the law to publicise where sex offenders live, was in the packed court to hear the proceedings, however, the Press Association reported.
Speaking to reporters after the hearing, she said the family was "clearly disappointed" the tariff had been reduced, saying life should mean just that.
"... but he will be well into his 80s before he is eligible, so it's not a terrible, terrible thing, and could have been a lot worse, so we carry on as before," she said outside court.
"The family obviously doesn't get a parole date. There's no end to this. This is our life from now on," she added.
"The man is a danger to children and will remain so as long as he lives and breathes."
Sarah was snatched by Whiting on July 1st 2000 near the home of her grandparents in West Sussex. After a huge search, her body was discovered dumped in a field 16 days later.
In 2002, the 50-year tariff -- the least Whiting must serve before becoming eligible to apply for parole -- was set by the then home secretary David Blunkett.
Whiting appealed against the sentence and the judge said he had concluded that the "appropriate" minimum term was 40 years.
The judge made it clear, however, that the sentence meant imprisonment for life and he would only be released, if ever, when the Parole Board is satisfied that he no longer poses a risk to the public.
Reuters