Becky Watts murder: Nathan Matthews and Shauna Hoare lose appeals against convictions

'We are satisfied that there is no reasonable argument that the convictions are unsafe or that the sentences were wrong in principle or manifestly excessive,' judge says

Murdered teenager Becky Watts

The killers of Bristol teenager Becky Watts have lost appeals against their convictions and sentences.

Nathan Matthews, 29, was sentenced to life imprisonment in November after being found guilty of the murder of his stepsister Becky in a sexually-motivated kidnap plot.

His girlfriend, Shauna Hoare, 22, was convicted of manslaughter and jailed for 17 years.

There was “no reasonable argument that the convictions are unsafe or that the sentences were wrong in principle or manifestly excessive,” said Lady Justice Macur as she announced the decision at the Court of Appeal in London.

The appeal, which was dismissed by three judges, followed an earlier rejection of the pair's applications for permission to appeal by a single judge.

Sixteen-year-old Becky was killed in February last year, after Mr Matthews and Ms Hoare let themselves into Becky's house in Crown Hill, Bristol.

Nathan Matthews (L) and Shauna Hoare (R) (PA)

She suffered more than 40 injuries before being suffocated by Matthews, then was bundled into the couple's car.

Her body was dismembered in their home in Cotton Mill Lane, Bristol, and was discovered by police in a nearby garden shed.

Bristol Crown Court heard they targeted Becky due to their dislike of her and a shared sexual interest in petite teenage girls.

Former Territorial Army soldier Mr Matthews has been given a minimum jail term of 33 years.

The hearing was watched by members of Becky's family via video link.

Becky’s father said in March he wanted his daughter’s killer to face the death penalty if it were available, adding he would personally carry out the execution.

Additional reporting by Press Association