A killer dubbed the Stockwell Strangler has launched a bid to appeal against his murder convictions.Kenneth Erskine was jailed in 1988 after being found guilty of strangling seven pensioners in south London, but a minimum tariff was not set.
High Court judge Mr Justice Cooke set the minimum term at 40 years during a hearing on Friday.
He also revealed Erskine had lodged an application "for leave to pursue a late appeal against conviction".
Secure hospital
Mr Cooke said the application was being made "on the basis of all the medical evidence which... shows substantial impairment of responsibility of the applicant for his actions by reason of an abnormality of mind".
The Court of Appeal will consider whether his conviction should be upheld or whether it should have been a conviction for manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Mr Cooke said in the meantime there was "no reason not to proceed with setting the minimum term".
The trial judge in 1988 recommended a 40-year minimum term but no exact tariff was set.
Erskine, who was 24 when he was jailed, is currently being treated at a secure hospital.
BBC News
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