It was 1983, and Suzanne Laitner’s wedding day, but it was also the day Arthur Hutchinson killed both her parents and her brother and raped her 18-year-old sister. Arthur Hutchinson was one of the first people to get a whole life sentence – but what does that mean, and how did this form of life sentence come about?

Stephen Griffiths was dubbed ‘the Crossbow Cannibal’ by the tabloid press and he quickly adopted the name himself and courted his ‘evil’ image. Julian explores what we mean by evil, and if it is a word that has a place within criminal justice.

Stephen Port became known as ‘the Grindr Killer’ because he found his victims through gay social networking apps. The case against him was overwhelming – and his legal costs were footed by the taxpayer – Julian asks why we defend the guilty and who should pay for it.

Jeremy Bamber was convicted of murdering his adoptive family – mother, father, sister and two 6-year-old nephews. He maintains his innocence to this day and has launched a number of appeals to various different courts, including one which argues that whole life sentences violate human rights.

Myra Hindley is infamous for her part in the Moors Murders in the 60s. From that time to her death in 2002, her name continued to dominate debates around crime and punishment. Julian explores the relationship between politics and sentencing – particularly whole life orders – and how this has evolved.

The murder of Lee Rigby in Woolwich, South London in 2013 shocked the nation. Julian discusses the sentencing of his killer Michael Adebolajo, and the political and social context around it, exploring terrorism and proportionality in sentencing.

Anthony Hardy became known as the Camden Ripper for the murder and dismemberment of three sex workers. Julian asks what role poor mental health might play in these crimes and their punishment, as well as how can we ever know someone is no longer a risk to those around them.

Only the third woman ever to receive a whole life sentence, Joanne Dennehy laughed as she was sentenced, leading Julian to question in this episode what it means to be sorry for these crimes and if it matters.