BBC News - Only 'most heinous' receive whole-life terms, says lawyer The Court of Appeal is to consider major challenges to whole-life tariffs given to some killers. Five leading judges will consider if prison without parole - currently reserved for "exceptionally" serious offences - is still legally possible. April Jones's killer Mark Bridger recently dropped his application for permission to appeal against his life term. The 47-year-old was convicted in May 2013 of killing five-year-old April, from Machynlleth, Powys, after she disappeared from outside her home in October 2012 while playing with a friend. Barrister Christopher Rees told Mai Davies on the BBC's Good Morning Wales programme only those convicted of the "most heinous crimes" receive whole-life sentences.