THE family of murdered Keighley four-year-old Riley Turner have told of their delight that his sadistic killer Anwar Rosser has lost an appeal against a sentence which will see him die behind bars.

"He got what he deserved and this will wipe the smile off his face - forever," said Riley's grandfather Thomas Smith last night.

Former soldier Rosser, 34, who admitted murdering four-year-old Riley Turner in a "savage and gratuitous" attack, was handed a whole-life tariff by a judge at Bradford Crown Court in February.

He was staying the night at the Riley;s family home in Harewood Road, Bracken Bank, Keighley, in January last year when he stabbed and strangled the "happy and bubbly" child as he lay in his bed.

Appeal Court judges were urged by Rosser's legal team to find that a whole-life term was "manifestly excessive", and that a "very long" finite minimum term should have been imposed instead

But yesterday Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas, Mr Justice Wyn Williams and Mr Justice Sweeney emphatically rejected Rosser's challenge.

Lord Thomas said the sentencing judge had properly taken into account his "considerable remorse".

He said: "The criticism of the judge in respect of the account he took of Rosser's anti-social personality disorder and psychopathy is misplaced.

"The judge took it into account, but made clear that its extent should not be overstated as none of the experts suggested that the disorders significantly reduced culpability.

"It is evident, in our view, that the judge took into account all the circumstances of the case. He was entitled to give to each of those circumstances the weight he gave them.

"This was plainly a murder of a young child that was sadistically and sexually motivated.

"The judge was entitled to conclude that the only just punishment for the murder of Riley was a whole-life order," Lord Thomas said.

Mr Smith, father of Riley's mother Sharon Smith said the family were "delighted" with the decision, but too emotional to talk in detail about it.

"But we would just like to thank the people of Keighley for all their great support and help," he said, referring to a petition signed by more than 10,000 against any change to Rosser's punishment.

"Now we as a family are taking stock of today's news - which has come as a great relief," Mr Smith said.

West Yorkshire Police Detective Superintendent Mark Ridley, of Protective Services (Crime), said:

"We are pleased at the decision by the Court of Appeal to reject Rosser's appeal against his whole life sentence.

"We hope that this will provide Riley Turner's family with some comfort, in that Rosser will remain in prison for the rest of his life and will never again present a risk to the communities of West Yorkshire."

Keighley MP Kris Hopkins said: “I am relieved to hear that this monster will never again be allowed to walk our streets.

"One can only begin to imagine the pain that Riley’s family have had to endure for almost two years now.

"I only hope that the court’s decision will now enable them to finally think about the future once again. My heart goes out to them.”

Councillor Adrian Farley (Lab, Keighley West) said: "This took place in my ward and there was a huge outcry from residents who were devastated by what had happened.

"While the appeal was ongoing there have been petitions with thousands of signatures demanding he should never be released.

"I welcome the decision at the Appeal Court which shows that justice has been done.

"It's not going to bring Riley Back, but it may hopefully help the parents to know Rosser will not be released."

Cllr Brian Morris, (UKIP, Keighley West) said he also agreed with the decision.

"In my mind the judge was right all along.

"It's a shame the family had to go through this wait in the first place.

"I hope it makes them feel better, but nothing can right this wrong."

Shipley Philip Davies MP added: "I want to congratulate the appeal judges for their common sense decision.

"This is a dangerous and evil criminal who should never be free again.

"I hope this decision gives a crumb of comfort to Riley's family knowing this man will never be free to commit a crime ever again."