COMMUNITIES shocked by Mark Hobson's crimes today called for "life to mean life" when he is sentenced next month.

Selby District Council chairman Chris Pearson said today: "What he did was unimaginably cruel and shocking, and Mr and Mrs Sanderson lost the only two children they had.

"These horrific murders will haunt both families for the rest of their lives, so it's only right that Hobson also serves a life sentence.

"They should leave him in his cell and throw away the keys.

"It has blighted Camblesforth and cast a huge black cloud over the Selby area. I don't think anyone would want to see Hobson roaming our streets ever again."

Selby's leading clergyman, the Rev Keith Jukes, said: "These crimes were clearly very brutal and I think it has to be a very substantial sentence.

"The families will always have to live with the memories of what happened. But to go through it all in minute detail in a courthouse would have been desperate for everybody and I'm glad they have been spared that."

Mother-of-four Angie Roberts, 35, a long-time friend of Hobson, also supported the call for "life to mean life" when he finds out his fate next month.

Speaking at her home in Hempbridge Close, Selby, Mrs Roberts said: "A life sentence should mean just that. For what he did, Mark should never be set free. That, for the families concerned, would be justice."

Farmer Kevin Wild, vice-chairman of Camblesforth Parish Council, said: "In certain cases, life should mean life and I definitely believe this is one of them.

"They were extremely violent attacks and he took four lives, including two young lives.

"Camblesforth is a very quiet rural village and everyone was in deep shock. We were all very relieved when he was caught because while he was on the run it was very unnerving."

The vicar who has been comforting Hobson's mother Sandra said he would have no problem with him being kept inside until he died.

The Rev Jonas Mdumulla said: "If the judge feels that is what should happen, I would have no problems with that provided it also helps Mark and something good comes out of it.

"We need to find out why he did it and learn from it by looking at ways of preventing such a heinous crime happening again.

"Mark has to face the consequences and should be kept in prison for as long as is necessary to show that justice has been seen to be done.

"I come from Africa where the taking of another person's life is a very serious matter and should be considered so by everyone. The penalty has to fit the crime."

Rev Mdumulla, vicar of Drax and Carlton, said: "This is a life sentence for everyone involved, including Mrs Hobson, who has been very deeply affected by this.

"Speaking to her, she has expressed deep sorrow and been very sympathetic to the victims' families. She has not made any excuses for her son and is greatly aware of the gravity of what he did."

Updated: 13:55 Tuesday, April 19, 2005