A HANDYMAN who murdered four people in a horrific attack at the country house where he used to work has failed in a High Court bid to have his minimum jail term slashed by 10 years.
George Francis Stephenson was found guilty in October 1987 of murdering Joseph Cleaver, his disabled wife Hilda Cleaver, their son Tom Cleaver and the family nurse, Margaret Murphy.
The killing spree happened at Burgate House in Fordingbridge in the New Forest in September 1986 and shocked the whole community.
Stephenson worked at the house until he was dismissed from his job in August that year.
Three weeks later, on September 1, he returned with two other men and broke in.
All the victims were bound, before petrol was poured over them when they were fully conscious and they were set alight. The gang escaped with property from the house, which was ransacked.
Mr Justice Tugendhat described the murders as “sadistic”, adding that Stephenson had attacked three people who were vulnerable because of age and disability, and the attack had involved premeditation.
Tom Cleaver's wife, Wendy, was repeatedly raped, beaten and strangled. Stephenson was acquitted of murdering her, although a co-accused was convicted.
Yesterday Stephenson's tariff - the minimum number of years he must spend behind bars before being considered for parole - was set by Mr Justice Tugendhat at 35 years.
SCENE: Burgate House in Fordingbridge, where the murders took place
The judge rejected arguments by Stephenson's legal team that it should be just 25 years, the figure recommended by the trial judge.
Mr Justice Tugendhat described the murders as "sadistic", adding that Stephenson had attacked three people who were vulnerable because of age and disability, and the attack had involved premeditation.
Taking into account the time he spent on remand, the ruling means the earliest Stephenson can ask the Parole Board to free him is in 2021.
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