Emma Caldwell killer Iain Packer has appeal against 36-year sentence rejected

The serial rapist serving life for murdering Emma Caldwell has had an appeal against his jail sentence rejected.

Iain Packer, 51, was ordered to serve a minimum sentence of 36 years in February 2024 following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow where he was found guilty of murdering Emma in 2005.

The 27-year-old was reported missing from Glasgow on April 4, 2005, with her remains found in Limefield Woods near Roberton, South Lanarkshire, the following month.

Packer was also convicted of 11 charges of rape against nine women and 21 other offences over a period of 26 years following a six-week trial.

On Wednesday, lawyers for Packer addressed the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh arguing against his “excessive” sentence.

During a hearing, defence advocate Gordon Jackson KC asked judges Lady Dorrian, Lord Matthews and Lady Wise to reduce the sentence.

Emma Caldwell died in 2005 Family handout

He said: “I say it is excessive. I ask if it is acceptable in a civilised society that we say to a man in his 50s that he will not be released – regardless of what happens – until he is in his 80s?

“I say it it is not. I say that in a civilised society that is we should not be doing that.”

Lady Dorrian and her colleagues conferred on the request before telling Mr Jackson, and Packer, both appearing before the court via video-link, that the appeal “should be refused”.

Packer then shook his head before the court clerk ended the video link.

Following the refusal, Aamer Anwar, speaking on behalf of Emma’s mother Margaret, said Packer would “die a convicted killer and serial rapist”.

“Packer’s name will one day turn to dust, long after Emma’s name lives on”, he said in a statement.

“Had it not been for Margaret Caldwell’s tireless campaigning, then any hope of justice would have been buried forever.

“For far too long those responsible for gifting a killer his freedom, have remained in the shadows, but they must face the glare of public scrutiny, the only forum for that will be before a statutory judge led public inquiry.

“The Scottish Government appear desperate to appoint a Scottish Judge, despite the demands of Emma’s mother and cross-parliamentary support for a judge out-with Scotland’s jurisdiction, for which of course there is precedent- justice must be seen to be done.

“Packer is now irrelevant to the Caldwell family, and the focus should move to those police officers and Crown officials who betrayed the most fundamental duty of all to protect life. There should be no hiding place for those who perverted the course of justice, the victims of Packer deserve nothing less.”

Emma Caldwell: Public inquiry into botched murder investigation announced STV News

Following proceedings, Police Scotland apologised to Emma’s family and his other victims who had been “let down” by policing in 2005.

Packer was first interviewed by police the month after Miss Caldwell’s body was found.

Following his conviction, Police Scotland assistant chief constable Bex Smith said in a statement: “Emma Caldwell, her family and many other victims were let down by policing in 2005. For that we are sorry.

“A significant number of women and girls who showed remarkable courage to speak up at that time also did not get the justice and support they needed and deserved from Strathclyde Police.”

Lady Dorrian said she and her colleagues would issue a written judgement explaining their decision at some point in the near future.