The High Court decision that the Yorkshire Ripper must spend the rest of his life behind bars will be welcomed by all right-thinking people.

Yesterday, before the ruling was made, we pointed out that some crimes were so dreadful that only a full life term would be appropriate and that Peter Sutcliffe’s depraved acts must fall into that category.

We hoped and even expected that the courts would ultimately agree with us, but it is still a huge relief to hear Mr Justice Mitting say that early release provisions would not apply in the Ripper’s case.

In reaching his verdict, the judge had read statements from relatives of six of Sutcliffe’s murder victims. He said: “None of them suggest any term other than a whole life term would be regarded by them as appropriate.”

And he added: “Apart from a terrorist outrage, it is difficult to conceive of circumstances in which one man could account for so many victims.

“Those circumstances alone make it appropriate to set a whole life term.”

It must be clear to everyone who has read his words that Mr Justice Mitting’s judgement is considered and correct and surely it must be the final say on the subject.

For no matter how many times this issue is looked at, the conclusion must always be the same: Sutcliffe should never be released.