Arthur Hutchinson, now in his 60s, is believed to be among a small number of murderers who have been told by the Home Secretary that "life must mean life" and that they should never be released from prison.

He was jailed for life in 1984 after being convicted of the murders of solicitor Basil Laitner, his wife Avril, a doctor, and their son Richard, who were discovered knifed to death at their home in Dore, Sheffield.

The couple and their son were murdered on October 24, 1983, on the day they had been celebrating their daughter's wedding with a reception at their home.

Today at London High Court Mr Justice Tugendhat will review Hutchinson's case, ruling on the minimum jail tariff he must serve and deciding whether he will ever be able to seek parole.

Factors the judge can take into account will include the seriousness of his crimes, his behaviour in custody and any representations made by him or by the families of his victims.

Hutchinson committed the murders while on the run from police after escaping from Selby Magistrates Court where he was due to appear for another offence.

He escaped by asking to go to the toilet and then jumping out of an open upstairs window.

He became known as the "Fox" after boasting about his cunning and claiming that police would never catch him.

During his time as a fugitive he wrote to and telephoned the Yorkshire Post before he was eventually seized by police in woods close to his home town of Hartlepool.