LAWYERS in the Court of Appeal have challenged cop killer David Bieber's claims that his human rights were breached by his "whole life" prison sentence.
Bieber, 42, was convicted of murdering 34-year-old Birkenshaw policeman Ian Broadhurst on Boxing Day in 2003.
The former US Marine has since argued that his "life means life" sentence contravened his right not to be subjected to "cruel or unusual
punishment".
He also claims such indeterminate sentences are "arbitrary" as no one knows how long an offender will live.
But Crown counsel Robert Smith QC told three judges headed by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips: "This is not an arbitrary punishment imposed without regard to the merits of the circumstances of the case or of the offender."
He said the sentence was passed after a full judicial assessment of the facts, leading the trial judge to be satisfied that the case was so serious that Bieber should remain in prison for the rest of his life.
Pc Broadhurst was shot at point blank range during a routine check on a stolen vehicle in Leeds.
Bieber was one of only 25 people at the time to have been given a whole life sentence in England and Wales.
His lawyers have told Lord Phillips that a prison term of around 30 years would have been sufficient to meet the circumstances of the case.
The judges said they will reserve judgement until a later date.
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