Two men who are currently serving a minimum 33-year jail term for the brutal and homophobic murder of a doctor have been refused permission to appeal their sentences.
Lee Strickland, 36, and Jason Edwards, 26 received life sentences in March after being found guilty of killing 54-year old Dr Gary Jenkins in a Cardiff park in July 2021.
Dionne Timms-Williams, 18, meanwhile, who was a youth at the time was detained for at least 17 years for her involvement in the attack.
The Court of Appeal considered applications by Strickland and Edwards that their sentences, which were handed down by Judge Daniel Williams at Cardiff Crown Court were "manifestly excessive".
Three judges sitting in the Welsh capital on Wednesday, however, ruled the sentences were fair, denying the pair leave to bring their appeals.
Lord Justice Holroyde, sitting with Mrs Justice Foster and Mr Justice Griffiths, described how the trio "punched, kicked and stamped" on Dr Jenkins during the savage attack, which lasted up to half an hour.
Under the influence of drink and drugs, Strickland and Edwards also attacked another man who had tried to intervene.
Commenting, Mr Justice Griffiths said: "There were other aggravating factors identified by the judge - the sustained ferocity of the attack, the murder being committed jointly by three people, the deliberately degrading way the victim was left."
The court was told the three defendants went to Bute Park in the early hours of July 20 last year in search of vulnerable gay men to rob.
Mr Justice Griffiths added this was "partly because they thought such a victim would be less likely to report any crime and partly out of homophobia".
Quoting Judge Williams, Mr Justice Griffiths went on to describe how Dr Jenkins' "pleas turned to groans as his life ebbed away - but the defendants responded to this with homophobic insults and increasing violence", which was captured in audio of the attack.
Strickland, Edwards and Timms-Williams then left Dr Jenkins fatally injured, stealing his mobile phone and credit cards.
Referring to Strickland, Mr Justice Griffiths said: "There are a large number of aggravating features. We therefore dismiss Strickland's application for leave."
The Crown Court heard both Strickland and Edwards had a lengthy list of previous convictions, meanwhile.
Mr Justice Griffiths said Edwards shared "full responsibility for the attack" and the minimum term of 33 years in prison was justified.
He added: "It was a long sentence, but cannot be said to be manifestly excessive of the facts of this case.
"We don't consider Edwards' appeal against sentence to be arguable and we therefore dismiss Edwards' application for leave."
Consultant psychiatrist Dr Jenkins was described by family members as a kind and compassionate man.
His wife, from whom he was separated at the time of the attack, described him as "an incredibly generous and creative man with only good intentions".
