Aaron Barley: Homeless man who murdered mother and her 13-year-old son in Stourbridge has jail term increased

Aaron Barley, 24, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 30 years in October, for killing Tracey Wilkinson, 50, and her 13-year-old son Pierce at their home in Stourbridge.

He was also convicted of the attempted murder of Peter Wilkinson, 47.

At the Court of Appeal today (thurs), Barley had his 30-year minimum term increased to 34 years and 178 days.

Solicitor General Robert Buckland argued before Lord Justice Holroyde, Mrs Justice Whipple and Mr Justice Goose that the sentence was 'unduly lenient'.

The three judges agreed that the 30-year minimum term was insufficient in 'this most exceptional and grave case'.

Lord Justice Holroyde, Mrs Justice Whipple and Mr Justice Goose substituted it with a minimum term of 35 years, less time on remand – amounting to 34 years and 178 days before he can be considered for release on licence.

Mr Wilkinson and his daughter Lydia were in court in London while Barley watched from prison by video-link.

Barley had armed himself with a kitchen knife when he crept inside the family's home in March and stabbed them as they slept in their beds.

Mr Wilkinson, who was out walking the dog, was stabbed a number of times on his return and was fortunate to survive.

Lydia was away at university at the time of the attack.

Barley had been taken in by the family after Mrs Wilkinson spotted him sleeping rough outside a supermarket in spring 2016.

Their help included supporting him to find a home and a job and inviting him to spend Christmas Day with them.

Sentencing at Birmingham Crown Court, Mrs Justice Carr told Barley that it was 'a vicious and unprovoked attack' on people who had shown him 'extraordinary kindness and generosity'.

She added that he had shown no remorse, indeed only issuing regret that Mr Wilkinson survived his injuries.

Mrs Justice Carr said that she had decided not to impose a whole-life tariff 'principally because of your youth'.