Even in the sordid history of crimes against children the murders were uniquely evil

Lord Steyn

The pair tape-recorded themselves torturing their victims, whose bodies were buried on Saddleworth Moor, overlooking Manchester.

Hindley has made a number of legal bids for freedom, but has been told by the Home Secretary, Jack Straw, she will never be released from Highpoint.

Gangland killer Reggie Kray was freed on compassionate grounds last year by Mr Straw because he was dying of cancer. He died within weeks of his release.

But The Mirror says it understands there is little chance Hindley will be released, partly because of fears about her safety on the outside.

History of illness

She has suffered a number of health problems over the years, including angina, osteoporosis and high blood pressure.

In January last year she was treated at Addenbrooke's hospital in Cambridge for a potentially fatal brain condition.

The following March, the convicted killer failed in her House of Lords bid to be released from prison.

Five law lords unanimously ruled that her life sentence "must mean life" in view of her "exceptionally wicked and uniquely evil" crimes.

Brady is on hunger strike

In a test case affecting other notorious killers, they ruled the home secretary could impose "whole-life" tariffs for the most heinous offences - provided they were kept under review.

In his ruling Lord Steyn said: "Even in the sordid history of crimes against children the murders committed by Hindley, jointly with Ian Brady, were uniquely evil."

Brady hunger strike

In 1987 the pair confessed to the killings of Pauline Reade, whose body was later found buried on Saddleworth Moor, and Keith Bennett, whose body has never been found despite extensive searches of the area.

Brady, who was also convicted for the murder of John Kilbride, has ironically failed in several legal attempts to be allowed to starve himself to death.

The killer, who is now 63, is currently on hunger strike at Ashworth Hospital on Merseyside.

He has been refusing food for more than 500 days, and has been force-fed liquid food through a plastic tube.