THE TOP judge who sentenced brutal murderer Robert Lyn to life behind bars at Bradford Crown Court hit out at plans to broadcast such hearings on television.

Mr Justice Coulson said the proposals by the Ministry of Justice would do a cruel disservice to victims of violent crime.

Lyn butchered his love rival Daniel Campbell with a large chef's knife and the judge twice paused in Friday's proceedings so that Mr Campbell's family members could leave the courtroom and be spared details of his horrific injuries.

The judge described the attack by Lyn, who was working at Morrisons head office in Gain Lane, Thornbury, Bradford, as "bestial."

Lyn, 45, climbed on to Mr Campbell's bed and stabbed him 20 times in the neck and abdomen.

Mr Justice Coulson said he was obliged to recount exactly how Mr Campbell died in open court in his sentencing remarks.

Lyn was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 26 years.

At the conclusion of the hearing, the judge asked the Press to publicise his strong feelings about airing such gruesome and upsetting information in full on television.

He told the packed courtroom that consideration for the victims of crime should be at the heart of the justice system.

Last year, senior government sources revealed that officials at the Ministry of Justice are working with the judiciary and broadcasters to allow the cameras into the Crown Court to bring "a new openness" to courts across the country.

Victims, witnesses and defendants would not be filmed but the judge's sentencing remarks would be included in such broadcasts.

The proposals were condemned by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, who feared that judges could be booed and heckled when verdicts were announced.

Lyn murdered Mr Campbell after finding out on Facebook that he had spent the night with his girlfriend, Stephanie Slade.

He was on the way home from his agency job as a call handler in the complaints department at Morrisons when he learned the devastating news and flew into an "explosion of rage."

Lyn, of Huntingdon Avenue, Bradley, Huddersfield, bought a bottle of brandy and a pack of three chef's knives.

He selected the biggest knife and went round to Mr Campbell's flat in Elizabeth Street, Elland.

Lyn smashed down the door with a concrete plant holder and murdered Mr Campbell as he slept.