Failed July 21 plotters lose appeal bid

LONDON (Reuters) - Four men jailed for life for their part in attempted suicide bombings in London on July 21, 2005, had their appeal bids turned down on Wednesday after the judge branded their crimes "merciless".

The men, who failed in a plot to bomb three underground trains and a bus two weeks after 52 people were killed in similar attacks, argued they had merely been taking part in an elaborate hoax.

Among other things, they had also argued that the judge's directions to the jury that convicted them were inadequate and that he had failed to give "clear and tailored" directions.

But three Court of Appeal judges rejected their leave to appeal against conviction and sentence, saying in a joint written statement that the sentences were "utterly justified".

"These were merciless and extreme crimes," they said.

"As they were rightly meant to be, the sentences were severe and extreme. Beyond doubt, however, they were utterly justified."

They added: "On 21 July 2005 London came within a vanishingly short breath of wholesale murder by terrorists.

"The explanation why the date will not be twinned in the annals of its venerable history with the murderous outrage perpetrated on 7 July 2005 is simple: it was sheer good fortune."

The judges rejected the hoax claim, setting out in detail the men's preparations.