The Yorkshire Ripper’s continued bid for freedom was last night branded a “waste of time” by his brother.

Serial killer Peter Sutcliffe had applied to the Supreme Court to consider his challenge to a ruling that he will never be released.

But the application to have the case heard in the highest court in the land has been rejected by the Lord Chief Justice, Sir Igor Judge, it was announced yesterday.

Sutcliffe’s brother Mick Sutcliffe, of Cottingley, Bingley, said the result had been expected.

He said: “We all knew this was going to happen.

“They’re not going to give him a chance of freedom, it’s a waste of time.

“It’s not a surprise – he’s just accepting it, he knows he’s not coming out.”

Yorkshire Ripper attack survivor Olive Smelt, now 82, said Sutcliffe should never be freed.

She said: “Why should he get out, after what he’s done?

“He left a lot of kids without parents. He’s better off staying where he is.

“They won’t let him out now I don’t think, that’s it for good I think.”

Richard McCann, whose mother, Wilma, was Sutcliffe’s first murder victim, said he was relieved when he heard the latest attempt had been rejected.

He said: “I am just relieved that we have got this result.

“I wasn’t even aware of it until just a few days ago, that he had moved to appeal, it came as a surprise.

“I’m obviously relieved as I’m sure most people in the country are and to be honest with you, I didn’t expect anything else.”

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