Families of the 96 Liverpool fans who died in the Hillsborough disaster say justice has finally been done after an inquest jury concluded the victims had been unlawfully killed.

Lawyers acting for the families say the conclusions, at the end of the longest jury case in British legal history, had completely vindicated their tireless 27-year battle.
The news has prompted a widespread reaction from the families, fans, campaigners, politicians, and sporting bodies.
Margaret Aspinall lost her 18-year-old son James in the disaster. She says she was immensely grateful to the people of Liverpool for backing the fight for justice.
"Let's be honest about this - people were against us. We had the media against us, as well as the establishment," she said.
"Everything was against us. The only people that weren't against us was our own city. That's why I am so grateful to my city and so proud of my city.
"They always believed in us."
Tracey Church lost her brother Gary in the disaster. She says she was overcome with emotion following the jury's conclusion.
After holding up a red flag that read "We climbed the hill in our own way", she said they had campaigned for "years and years" to get justice.
She added: "It's surreal. (I feel) emotional, shaken, happy, sad - all mixed emotions."
Stephen Wright, whose brother Graham died in the tragedy, said the responsibility for the disaster was "the gross failings of the police".
"The evidence over the past two years has been overwhelming, yet South Yorkshire Police and their senior officers have tried to look truth in the eye and deny responsibility and shift blame onto others.
"In particular, innocent football fans. For 27 years, we the victims of this tragedy have had to live with the outrage of such institutional denial."
"For this reason, we the 22 families call for the immediate resignation of David Crompton, the chief constable," he added.
Barry Devonside lost his only son Christopher, 18, in the Hillsborough disaster.
Mr Devonside, who has attended every day of the inquest, said: "Today we gained the confidence from the jury that what we've tried to do for 27 years is to bring justice for those who never went home.
"I never thought in my wildest dreams that we would get this decision. I always hoped and dreamt that we would get this decision. I'm glad we did. We did our best - we couldn't do any more."
"I'm so, so pleased."
Charlotte Hennessy, whose father James died, said from both the police and South Yorkshire Ambulance Service it was a "hopeless emergency response", saying they "failed the 96".
"Despite having a designated unit at the ground, with two station officers, two other personnel and an ambulance, they failed to react to the disaster unfolding before them.
"From both the police and ambulance service it was a hopeless emergency response and undoubtedly increased the loss of life."
Trevor Hicks, the father of teenage sisters Sarah and Vicki Hicks - who both died at Hillsborough - said campaigners had done their job.
Mr Hicks said: "We've known all along what happened. Obviously it's took us 20-odd years to get here.
"I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, to be fair. I think if anyone is a winner today, it's society at large in that, no matter who you are, how big you are, or where you are in your organisation, the public will come after you if you do anything wrong."
Commenting specifically about the role of South Yorkshire Police, Mr Hicks said: "Obviously they've got to face up to the fact - even throughout these proceedings - at the way they have conducted themselves.
"I go to back to what [Lord Justice] Taylor said [in his 1990 report into the disaster] in the very beginning - it would have been better if the truth had been faced."
The Prime Minister paid tribute to Hillsborough campaigners and said it was a "landmark day" which provides "long overdue justice".
David Cameron tweeted: "Landmark day as the #Hillsborough inquest provides long overdue justice for the 96 Liverpool fans who died in the disaster."
In a second tweet the Prime Minister wrote: "I would like to pay tribute to the extraordinary courage of #Hillsborough campaigners in their long search for the truth."
In a statement he said: "Today is a landmark moment in the quest for justice for the 96 Liverpool fans who died on that dreadful day in April 1989.
"It is also a long overdue day. The bereaved families and survivors of the Hillsborough disaster have had to wait 27 long years for the full facts of what happened and it is only due to their tireless bravery in pursuing the truth that we arrived at this momentous verdict.
"All families and survivors now have official confirmation of what they always knew was the case - that the Liverpool fans were utterly blameless in the disaster that unfolded at Hillsborough."
Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police, David Crompton, said: "I want to make it absolutely clear that we unequivocally accept the verdict of unlawful killing and the wider findings reached by the jury in the Hillsborough Inquests."
"After 27 long years the true verdict has finally been delivered, confirming what the families always believed - their loved ones were unlawfully killed.
"Liverpool Football Club welcomes the jury's decision, once and for all, that our supporters were not in any way responsible for what happened at Hillsborough.
"We will always remember the selfless bravery and heroism of the many fans that helped their fellow supporters in the most harrowing of circumstances that day. We praise those who, since the beginning of the inquest, have had to find the courage and strength to re-live what they went through.
"Since April 15, 1989, the solidarity shown by Liverpool fans towards the families and survivors encapsulates the unique character of both the club and city. We are also hugely thankful for the unwavering support the wider football community has so generously shown these past 27 years.
"It has been a painful journey for the families and survivors, who have endured and sacrificed so much for so long. The resilience and dignity they have shown throughout their tireless campaign has been humbling and inspirational. Their conduct and actions throughout their struggle has brought pride to the city of Liverpool and will serve as a lasting tribute to the victims.
"The 96 men, women and children who were unlawfully killed at Hillsborough will never be forgotten."
"I have come to know the families well and today represents a huge day in their pursuit of truth, justice and accountability. They have waited for 27 years to reach this point. They continue to be in my prayers as they absorb this momentous decision.
"The panel's report represented the first step forward on the road to truth and ultimately justice, but the conclusion of the fresh inquests is not the last step.
"It has been a privilege to chair the family forums. I am pleased to say these will continue because it is important that the families continue to have direct contact with the investigation teams and the CPS through this next phase."
Minutes after the verdict was announced, John Aldridge, who played for Liverpool FC at the time of the disaster, tweeted: "fantastic to see the reaction of the families outside the court!very emotional as well,The truth is out AT LAST.Take note all the doubters!!"
Michael Owen tweeted: "Just landed from China and catching up with the news. Finally and way, way, way overdue, the truth prevails and justice is served. #jft96."
Jamie Carragher tweeted: "Justice finally. #JFT96"
Wayne Rooney also posted: "At last justice for the 96 and their families. Well done to all who never gave up #jft96"
Roy Evans, the former Liverpool FC manager tweeted: "Finally after 27 years what we've known all along has been confirmed. Thoughts with all the families an those affected. Justice for the 96 x"
Phil Thompson, former Liverpool captain, tweeted: "Well done to all the families, they've all fought with integrity and dignity throughout, justice has now been done"
Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez also added a message of support in a statement, saying: "After so many years fighting for justice I am really pleased to see the verdict today, which confirms what we have been saying for a long time.
"I am especially pleased for the families of the 96 who have sought justice for so long and with such dignity, as well as for the people of Liverpool and for football fans in general.
"Hopefully this verdict today will ensure that this kind of tragedy can never happen again."
Kenny Dalglish MBE, former Liverpool footballer and manager, said: "Everything they've fought for for the past 27 years, they've won. Every argument that was put in front of them. They've been totally vindicated, the fans, and the families have also been totally victorious in everything they put forward.
"The truth that they knew 27 years ago has just come to pass now, and it's taken them 27 years of their lives to fight for the person who went to watch a football match and lost a life. You cannot surmise, or even begin to guess, what those families have been through."
Liverpool chairman Tom Werner also released a statement, adding: "We have been moved and inspired by the great courage shown by the families and survivors. We feel deep sorrow for their loss, take inspiration from their campaign and express gratitude for bringing honour to the club through their conduct during this cruelly prolonged process."
Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, whose cousin, 10-year-old Jon-Paul Gilhooley, was the youngest victim of the tragedy, posted a tribute on Instagram, showing the Hillsborough memorial at Anfield alongside the words: "JFT 96 #YNWA".
Sheffield Wednesday FC: "First and foremost, we recognise the tireless dedication of the families who have remained dignified throughout this process despite the enormously difficult evidence that had to be heard in detail over the course of the inquests.
"Since the disaster, football has evolved immeasurably, with all stadia and associated safety procedures changing beyond recognition in the intervening years.
"Both the ownership and leadership of Sheffield Wednesday has also changed in this time and we reiterate that the sincere condolences of the current chairman, board of directors and everyone at the club remain with the families of the 96 and our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragic events of 1989."
Everton FC: "Everton Football Club salutes the Hillsborough families and their total vindication as Fighters for Justice. Theirs is the greatest victory in the history of football.
"RIP, the 96. Good night, God bless. From us across the Park."
Former Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie, who oversaw the newspaper when it published a story blaming Liverpool fans for the Hillsborough disaster, has said his "heart goes out" to the families and friends who have waited for vindication.
The Sun ran a front page story four days after the tragedy proclaiming to tell "The Truth" about the human crush which left 96 people dead.
It featured claims from an anonymous policeman that some fans had "picked pockets of victims", "urinated on cops" and that some beat up a policeman giving the "kiss of life".
Mr MacKenzie has now apologised for the "hurt" the story caused.
In a statement he said: "Today's verdicts are an important step in obtaining justice for the victims. My heart goes out to those who have waited so long for vindication.
"As I have said before, the headline I published was wrong and I am profoundly sorry for the hurt it caused."
He said his paper's coverage was based on what is now known from the inquest to be "deliberate misinformation from the South Yorkshire Police".
"Clearly, I was wrong to take the police's version of events at face value and it is a mistake I deeply regret."
Mr MacKenzie added: "The Crown Prosecution Service must now ensure that those officers within South Yorkshire Police responsible for the cover-up are brought to trial."
The current head of Yorkshire Ambulance Service said he is "truly sorry" for what happened at Hillsborough and admits lives could have been saved if the ambulance service's response had been different.
Rod Barnes said the service fully accepted the jury's conclusions and extended his "deepest sympathy" to the bereaved families.
He said "a huge amount has been learned from Hillsborough" and the service has "changed a great deal in the last 27 years".
St John Ambulance chief executive Sue Killen said her organisation's volunteers "acted as best they could under extremely difficult circumstances" and their experience "will stay with our organisation forever".
"Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by what happened on that day... It's clear from the testimonies that our volunteers acted as best they could under extremely difficult circumstances, and we are grateful to them for all they did," she said.
David Whitmore, an expert in pre-hospital care, had told the inquests that while the South Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service response was delayed, volunteers from St John Ambulance "behaved better" than their counterparts by starting to help victims immediately.
Mr Richardson said: "We would like to say sorry on behalf of the company at that time and to add our deepest sympathies to all those affected by this tragedy.
"We would also like to add that we are a very different company today and there is no-one here who has any first-hand knowledge of the stadium design decisions concerning Hillsborough in the 1980s.
"This was a terrible, tragic incident that will never be forgotten and out of the disaster there has come a legacy of improved stadium safety throughout the country."
"Our sincere condolences remain with the families and friends of the victims. They have conducted themselves with great dignity throughout these Inquests, during which there has been an exhaustive investigation of the horrific circumstances that took place 27 years ago.
"Ultimately, the Inquests stand as testament to the struggle undertaken by the families so the truth might be brought to light.
"While much has changed since 1989, the FA and English football in general must continue to recognise, remember and learn from the tragedy. In looking forward, it is important we never forget.
"Given the ongoing criminal investigations, there are limitations to what we can say. It is in the interests of all concerned that further consideration of the disaster by the relevant authorities must be allowed to take its course."
Ms Hemming said: "Following the inquest's determinations the CPS team will continue to work closely with Operation Resolve and the IPCC as in due course, the CPS will formally consider whether any criminal charges should be brought against any individual or corporate body based upon all the available evidence, in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.
"We would ask that everyone is mindful of the continuing investigations and the potential for future criminal proceedings when reporting or publicly commenting on the inquest's conclusions."
Ms Cerfontyne said: "The conclusion of the inquests is another milestone and a day when my thoughts are with the families and friends of those who died as a result of the disaster.
"Now the inquests have ended our role in providing documents and other material to support the Coroner is over. However the end of the inquests does not mark the end of the process.
"Our attention now focuses on concluding our criminal investigation into the aftermath of the disaster. This is by far the biggest and most complex investigation ever undertaken by the IPCC.
"We have made significant progress on the investigation and we will continue to work closely with Operation Resolve and the Crown Prosecution Service to pursue our remaining lines of enquiry as quickly and as thoroughly as possible. I anticipate we will conclude the criminal investigations by the turn of the year."
Malcolm McMahon said: "I hope that the acknowledgment that those who died were unlawfully killed will bring comfort to the survivors and the families of the 96.
"May they rest in peace, to be for ever remembered in the hearts and minds of the people of Liverpool."


Fuel prices at service stations will be advertised on an English motorway for the first time, Highways England has announced.

The electronic signs, which will be switched on from 29 March, will show the price of fuel along the southbound carriageway of the M5.
Five service stations - Gordano, Sedgemoor, Bridgwater, Taunton Deane and Exeter - are involved.
If deemed a success, it could be rolled out across the motorway network.
Roads minister Andrew Jones said: "This trial will allow drivers to be much better informed about the cost of fuel and make it easier to plan their breaks around the cheapest deals."
Andrew Page-Dove, from Highways England, said: "This trial is an important part of a bigger picture and we want road users to be more informed and in better control of their journeys.
"This means they'll be better prepared, more inclined to plan breaks and have sufficient fuel."
The scheme will run until the end of 2017, when Highways England will decide whether the project could be rolled out to other areas.


Huddersfield Giants have sacked coach Paul Anderson and assistant coach Kieron Purtill with the club second bottom of Super League.

Anderson, 44, took over from Nathan Brown in July 2012 and led the side to the League Leaders' Shield in 2013.
"It is with great sadness that we make this change," said chairman Ken Davy.
"We are not a hiring and firing club by nature. Unfortunately the simple fact is that the results this year have not been satisfactory."
He added: "The Giants are not performing to the level that anyone associated with the club expects.
"We have done everything possible behind the scenes to support the team and the staff in their quest for success."
Head of youth Andy Kelly has been put in charge of Huddersfield for Friday's Super League trip to Salford.
The Giants have lost 14 of their 18 Super League games this season and look set to enter The Qualifiers when the league splits after 23 matches.
Anderson's final match in charge was Sunday's 10-2 home defeat by local rivals Wakefield.
The former Great Britain and England prop had successful stints with Bradford Bulls and St Helens during his playing career before joining the coaching staff at Huddersfield in 2007.
Under Anderson, Huddersfield finished third in Super League in 2014 and 2015.


Vietnam's coast guard has seized a Chinese fuel ship for allegedly intruding into its waters, report state media.

The ship, carrying more than 100,000 litres of fuel, was stopped near the northern maritime border last week.
Vietnamese media say the crew admitted they were supplying fuel to Chinese fishing boats in the area.
Vietnam and China are locked in a dispute over overlapping claims in the South China Sea.
The government-owned Vietnam News Agency said the seized vessel had been disguised as a fishing boat.
It was discovered in waters near the Vietnamese island of Bach Long Vi and the Chinese island of Hainan last Thursday.
The captain and two crew members have since been arrested, said the reports.
Vietnamese newspapers quoted authorities as saying the crew did not produce the required work permits and documentation on the origin of the oil.
There has been no comment from China.
Hanoi has frequently complained about the presence of Chinese fishing vessels in the disputed areas, as well as the harassment of its own fishing boats by Chinese authorities.
China has angered several of its neighbours with growing assertiveness over its claims in the South China Sea, with aggressive land reclamation on disputed reefs and islands and the increasing presence of civilian vessels and coast guard boats.


Welsh football fans will travel to France in their thousands this month, after qualifying to play in the European Championships for the first time in 58 years.

One tiny city is preparing to greet them, despite concerns about its size.
Wales will play England in the northern city of Lens on 16 June.
The town has a population of under 40,000, but as many as 100,000 fans are expected to arrive there.
Ticketless fans are being urged to travel to larger towns in the area such as Lille.
But for those planning to brave the crowds in Lens, what should they expect when they get there?
In a similar way to many towns in Wales, Lens once had a booming coal mining industry.
"There is a lot of testimony of the mining heritage in the town," said Marlène Virey, from the Lens tourist office.
"We have got the two big slag heaps, so you could have a walk on them," she said.
The mining mountains, or "terrils" as they are referred to locally, dominate the landscape.
There were 340 of them in the area during the 1970s, but 200 remain today.
The Nord-Pas-de-Calais mining basin was recently registered on the UNESCO list of world heritage sites, which protects the slag heaps from damage.
Base 11/19, named after the two mining shafts, is one of four main protected sites in the basin. It sits just outside Lens.
The two slag heaps are 186m (610ft) tall, said Tino Cioffi, a tour guide who tells visitors about the mining history of the town.
Formed from rocky mining spoils, they are "the highest mining mountains in all of Europe," he claimed.
The site was established by the Societé des Mines de Lens in 1894, operating for almost a century before being closed in 1986.
It was "really terrible" said Mr Cioffi, leading to "high unemployment" levels in the town, at almost double the national rate.
Lens will play host to four games during the competition, in the Stade Ballaert-Delelis, which will hold 38,000 fans.
Anyone else arriving will be competing for a spot in the 10,000 capacity fanzone, or the handful of bars and pubs in the town centre.
For those left on the streets, purchasing and drinking alcohol has been banned on match days.
Sylvain Robert, the Mayor of Lens told BBC Wales he was worried they will not be able to cope with the influx of people.
A much-needed economic boost was given to the town in 2012, with the arrival of the £109m Louvre-Lens museum, an outpost of the Louvre art gallery in Paris.
It opened on the site of a disused colliery. A modern building of glass and aluminium, it is aptly sandwiched between the football stadium and the mining mountains.
"It's a collection of 205 artworks," said Bruno Cappelle, from the Louvre-Lens team.
"They are all coming from the Paris Louvre and you can see a little bit of everything, so you've got all the techniques and all the civilisations that you could see in Paris."
To time in with the Euro 2016, they have a special exhibition on this summer, celebrating their much-loved local football club - RC Lens.
"It's a big collection of objects and testimonies, by supporters of the local team.
"This is really something very important here in Lens.
"There used to be the mines and football, now there is football and the museum," he said.
For Welsh fans searching for further links to home, many restaurants in the town centre serve a surprising local delicacy.
Welsh rarebit became popular after soldiers fighting in World War One brought it over with them, said Mr Cioffi.
Much of Lens was destroyed during the War and the town is surrounded by major remembrance sites at Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, Vimy Ridge and La Maison Blanche, Cabaret Rouge Cemetery, Loos Memorial and Dud Corner Cemetery.
Capacity concerns aside, the town seems really excited to welcome Welsh fans.
"For the inhabitants, it's very exciting to welcome other football supporters, because in Lens, it's a tradition to support football - the inhabitants are fond of football," said Ms Virey.
Mr Cioffi said: "Lens people I think, will support the Welsh team of course.
"We have the same history and it's a small team, like Lens.
"And I hope to drink some beers with Welsh people."


There are "difficult days ahead" for the families of the Birmingham pub bombing victims, according to a lawyer.

The decision to reopen inquests into the 21 deaths helps the families' quest for truth, said Kevin Winters.
But it means they will experience a re-traumatising process, added the lawyer for five of the families.
Senior coroner Louise Hunt said on Wednesday new hearings would be held into the bombings in November 1974, believed to have been by the IRA.
Twenty one people died and 222 were injured when bombs went off in the Mulberry Bush and Tavern in the Town pubs.
Q&A: Pub bombings inquests
More updates on this and other stories in Birmingham and the Black Country
Six men were wrongly convicted for the attacks and spent 16 years in jail before their acquittals.
Inquests were opened days after the atrocity but were not continued after the men were jailed.
Mr Winters, senior partner at KRW Law LLP, said Wednesday's decision was a "significant and poignant day" for all involved.
But he said the "severely traumatised" families who had been fighting for new inquests now faced hearing some potentially uncomfortable evidence.
"The actual campaign process, the fight for justice, the fight for truth, the fight to get some sort of conduit to expose and put out into the open what actually happened - that is a re-traumatising process for many families," he said.
"Yesterday was a massively emotional occasion... so there's a lot of difficult days ahead... but, if I could put it like this, they are welcome difficulties and that is what the families and us on their behalf will embrace."
In confirming new inquests would be held, Ms Hunt said there was a "wealth of evidence that still has not been heard" about the attacks.
A hearing in Solihull was told there was evidence police had missed two potential warnings of the bomb attacks.
But West Midlands Police maintained there was "simply no evidential basis" for reopening the inquests and argued the coroner did not have the jurisdiction to hear the inquests, something Ms Hunt rejected.
The families, who have campaigned for many years for new hearings, said they were overwhelmed by the decision to help them get "truth, justice and accountability".
A preliminary hearing will be held later this year and it is thought full inquests will happen in 2017.


Former Sri Lanka batsman Mahela Jayawardene has pulled out of playing for Lancashire in this summer's T20 Blast for "personal reasons".

The 40-year-old was set to arrive at Old Trafford this month before their first game against Durham on 7 July.
Jayawardene said he was "very disappointed" he was unable to feature but gave no further details.
"We are reviewing and reassessing all options from a player perspective," said head coach Glen Chapple.
Jayawardene, who retired from international cricket in 2015, played for Somerset in last year's T20 Blast.
He is one of Sri Lanka's greatest batsmen, with 11,814 runs in 149 Tests and more than 12,650 in 448 ODIs.


Dozens of children in Darfur have allegedly been killed by chemical weapons dropped on them by their own government, it is claimed.

Amnesty International say the children are among more than 200 people estimated to have been killed by the banned weapons since January.
Those affected by the "poisonous smoke" vomit blood, struggle to breathe and watch as their skin falls off.
The Sudanese government has said the allegations are baseless.
"The allegations of use of chemical weapons by Sudanese Armed Forces is baseless and fabricated," Sudan's UN Ambassador Omer Dahab Fadl Mohamed said, quoted by Reuters.
"The ultimate objective of such wild accusation, is to steer confusion in the ongoing processes aimed at deepening peace and stability and enhancing economic development and social cohesion in Sudan."
The government in Khartoum and rebels have been fighting in Darfur for 13 years.
Yet the conflict and its toll on the western region's citizens has fallen off the radar since 2004, when warnings of a potential genocide forced the outside world to act.
But a new report into repeated attacks by the Sudanese government against their own people reveals "nothing has changed", according to Tirana Hassan, Amnesty's director of crisis research.
The human rights group's eight-month investigation uncovered "scorched earth, mass rapes, killings and bombs" in Jebel Marra, a remote region of Darfur.
Researchers also found 56 witnesses to the alleged use of chemical weapons on at least 30 occasions by Sudanese forces, who launched an offensive against the Sudan Liberation Army, led by Abdul Wahid (SLA/AW) in the middle of January.
"The scale and brutality of these attacks is hard to put into words," said Ms Hassan. "The images and videos we have seen in the course of our research are truly shocking; in one a young child is screaming with pain before dying; many photos show young children covered in lesions and blisters. Some were unable to breathe and vomiting blood."
Survivors told Amnesty International of the putrid and "unnatural" smelling smoke which filled the air after the bombs were dropped.
Many began vomiting within minutes of coming into contact with it. Often, the vomiting and diarrhoea would be bloody, while others were left with "bulging" eyes.
Survivors' eyes were also reported to change colour, as did their urine and their skin, which would then harden and fall off.
A man named Ismail, who tried to help people in late January, told Amnesty: "Their skin was falling off and their bodies had become rottenâ€¦ and their breath was very bad".
Several of the children he treated died, others were still in pain months later.
Two independent chemical weapons experts agreed the injuries seen were consistent with a chemical attack, with symptoms pointing to vesicant or blister agents.
Amnesty is now calling for an investigation, and for governments to apply pressure on Khartoum, in particular to allow humanitarian agencies access to Darfur's remote populations.
Ms Hassan said: "The fact that Sudan's government is now repeatedly using these weapons against their own people simply cannot be ignored and demands action.
"This suspected use of chemical weapons represents not only a new low in the catalogue of crimes under international law by the Sudanese military against civilians in Darfur, but also a new level of hubris by the government towards the international community."


A general in line for the highest US military post says Russia poses the greatest threat to national security.

During his confirmation hearing to become chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Gen Joseph Dunford called Russia's recent actions "nothing short of alarming".
Relations between the US and Russia have deteriorated since Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea region last year.
A pro-Russian insurgency in eastern Ukraine has also prompted US sanctions.
"So if you want to talk about a nation that could pose an existential threat to the United States, I'd have to point to Russia." Gen Dunford told senators on Thursday.
Some US lawmakers have pushed for the military to provide lethal weapons to Ukraine's government, a move Gen Dunford called "reasonable".
"Frankly, without that kind of support, they are not going to be able to defend themselves against Russian aggression," Gen Dunford said.
Thus far the US has only provided non-lethal equipment and training for Ukrainian forces.
More than 6,000 people have been killed in fighting in Ukraine, which began in April 2014, between government forces and pro-Russian rebels in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Russia denies arming the rebels or sending troops there.


A Swansea art gallery is preparing to reopen following a multi-million pound refurbishment.

Work by Turner, Picasso and Leonardo da Vinci will be on show at the Glynn Vivian Gallery from Saturday.
The gallery closed in 2011 for a Â£6m renovation, but construction delays mean it is opening two years later than planned.
A parade through Swansea city centre will mark the reopening of the gallery, which was originally built in 1911.
It will include a new space for exhibitions, a new cafe and a shop, with about 90,000 visitors expected every year.
An extension now links the 1970s and 1911 sections of the gallery, with a new entrance making the building fully wheelchair accessible for the first time.
A Welshman, a Frenchman and a Scot - how legacies shaped the Glynn Vivian collection
There will also be a display dedicated to its founder, Richard Glynn Vivian, known as Glynn, who travelled the world collecting art.
The gallery also houses his own early photography, diaries and sketchbooks from his tours as far afield as China and Australia.
Curator Jenni Spencer-Davies said: "It's a gallery, metaphorically without walls.
"Physically, people will be able to watch conservationists working in their studios or visit our storage rooms.
"We will be reaching out to visitors to Swansea and people will be able to engage with us in different ways - you can pop in for 10 minutes or spend an hour browsing, or come in to learn or take part in a workshop."
For the opening, there will be the chance to see Turner's Snow Storm - Steam-Boat off a Harbour's Mouth and a Picasso - both loaned by the Tate.
But the highlight from Saturday until 6 January will be 10 drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, which are being shown in Swansea as the final venue of a tour of four galleries in the UK and Ireland.
"Who doesn't love Leonardo? He fascinates all ages," said Ms Spencer-Davies.
"We're very, very lucky the Royal Collection has agreed to let us show these drawings, it is so exciting to see this work."
The renovation was funded by the Arts Council of Wales, Swansea council, the Welsh Government and the Heritage Lottery Fund.


The world's largest ship fuel supplier, OW Bunker, has filed for bankruptcy after alleged fraud.

The company's troubles came to light earlier this week when it discovered suspected fraud by senior employees in a Singapore-based subsidiary.
OW Bunker is Denmark's third-largest company and supplies 7% of the world's bunker fuel, used in shipping.
Shipping lines were trying to find alternative suppliers in the wake of the news late on Friday.
The company owes 13 banks $750m (Â£472m) and says it cannot survive without new credit.
OW Bunker's chairman, Niels Henrik Jensen, said in a statement: "It is now clear that such facilities will not be made available. Nor is a sale as a going concern a realistic option."
The bankruptcy filing was lodged in the probate court in Aalborg in northern Denmark.
The company said on Thursday it had discovered fraud by senior employees in its Singapore-based subsidiary, Dynamic Oil Trading.
The statement also said: "As a result of the internal investigation it has been decided to report two key employees in the Singapore-based subsidiary Dynamic Oil Trading (DOT) to the police... and to relieve them of duty immediately."
OW Bunker only became a public company this year when it joined Copenhagen's Nasdaq in March. Its float was a market highlight, the second biggest initial public offering of shares since 2010.
In October it published figures estimating a trading loss of $24.5m, but has now increased that to $150m.
The alleged fraud at DOT is potentially one of the biggest financial market scandals to hit Singapore in 10 years.


Sixth seed Caroline Wozniacki beat Karolina Pliskova 7-5 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 in a rain-hit match at the Rogers Cup for her first win over a world number one.

Wozniacki was 5-1 down in the first set and 4-2 down in the third but recovered to beat the Czech after three hours.
The Dane, 27, will play American Sloane Stephens in the semi-finals in Toronto.
Simona Halep faces Caroline Garcia and Garbine Muguruza plays Elina Svitolina in the remaining quarter-final matches.
"Almost every tournament I've played this year there has been a rain delay, so at this point I just have to laugh because I feel like it is following me," said Wozniacki.
"Every time this year when it has been raining I've had a great tournament, so I thought this must be luck."
She next faces Stephens, who saved three match points in the third set to beat Czech Lucie Safarova 6-2 1-6 7-5 in their quarter-final.
The remaining two quarter-finals will be decided on Saturday. Wimbledon champion Muguruza is one set up against Svitolina of Ukraine, winning the opener 6-4, while number two seed Halep has yet to start her match against France's Garcia.


Samsung will sell two versions of its next flagship phone, one of which has a screen that curves round its sides.

The Galaxy S6 Edge uses the feature to provide a quick way to stay in touch with select contacts, and to alert owners to important information.
It will be sold for a higher price than the standard S6, which otherwise has the same specifications.
Samsung lost market share to Apple and others after the S5 sold fewer copies than its predecessor in many countries.
Its replacements were unveiled in Barcelona, ahead of the start of Mobile World Congress. They go on sale on 10 April in 20 countries, including the UK.
The South Korean firm said it had set out to address past "missteps", and had codenamed the devices "project zero" to reflect the need for a rethink.
Changes include making the TouchWiz user interface simpler to use by cutting the number of pop-up messages and introducing a metal frame and glass back instead of the plastic styling of earlier models.
The redesign has, however, meant some features have had to be jettisoned: the phones are not water-resistant, they do not have a microSD slot for extra storage and their backs cannot be removed to change their batteries.
Even so, one expert praised the company's choices.
"Samsung has clearly listened to feedback - not just for the Galaxy S5, which just missed the mark last year costing the company greatly - but also the S4, which was a product that tried to cram in every piece of technology it could find," said Ben Wood, head of research at the CCS Insight tech consultancy.
"The software has been made into a much more crisp and clear experience, the design of the product has clean lines and looks very nice, and the marketing campaign is expected to only pinpoint three things - and that's certainly something that had been missing from Samsung's products for quite some time."
Others were more critical. Rob Kerr, from the price comparison site uswitch.com, declared: "The dual-curved display just seems too gimmicky, too niche, to really be a crowd pleaser."
The three topics Samsung is focusing on are:
The S6 Edge uses its curves to provide a couple of services.
The first is called People Edge, which provides a quick way to bring up calls, texts and other messages from five acquaintances of the owner's choosing. Each person is assigned a different colour, which the phone's edge flashes when it rings, providing a hint of the caller's identity even if the device is face down.
The second is Information Stream, which displays the time, weather and selected notifications on the curved part.
It appears Samsung has deliberately kept the functionality more basic than on its Galaxy Note Edge - a larger handset whose screen curves only around one of its sides. The older phone uses the extra space to both run apps of its its own and to add controls to other apps.
The S6 phone's front camera has been upgraded to five megapixels, while the rear one stays at 16MP.
Both gain from a wider aperture, which should improve their ability to take photos and videos in low light conditions.
Samsung has also taken steps to make the camera quicker to use, saying it now takes less than a second to double tap the home key and snap a shot.
The firm is claiming a "world first" by embedding support for both the PMA and WPC's Qi wireless charging standards.
The Android-powered handsets are also faster to recharge, and should return to 50% battery strength within half an hour of being plugged in.
Samsung said that this was half the time it would take to charge an iPhone 6.
Other improvements over the S5 include:
The firm also revealed it had developed a new version of its Gear VR virtual reality kit that uses the S6 models as a screen.
A lot is resting on the phones' appeal.
Samsung's head of mobile design was moved from his role in May after criticism of the Galaxy S5's styling, and last week Samsung Electronics announced it would freeze its workers' wages for the first time in six years following a drop in its annual profits.
Samsung is still the best-selling smartphone maker.
But it barely saw its total smartphone shipments grow in 2014. By contrast, Apple's decision to make its iPhone 6 models larger and the continued rise of China's Xiaomi, Lenovo and Huawei saw those firms report much bigger gains.
As a result, Samsung's market share slipped from 31% in 2013 to 24.5% last year, according to research firm IDC.
The price of the new handsets has yet to be announced, but Mr Wood thought the S6 Edge in particular could mark a turning point.
"In a sea of sameness where nearly every smartphone is a rectangular touchscreen with a camera in the back, this will stand out," he said.
"It may be outside many people's budgets, but it will still act as a signature product that attracts people to the rest of Samsung's range."
1. Samsung Galaxy
2. Samsung Galaxy S
3. Samsung Galaxy S2
4. Samsung Galaxy S3
5. Samsung Galaxy S4
6. Samsung Galaxy S5
7. Samsung Galaxy S6
Samsung’s first Android-powered phone ran version 1.5 (Cupcake) of Google’s mobile operating system.
It had a 3.2in (8.1cm) screen and was the first Android phone to include a 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing normal headphones to be easily connected.
The first of Samsung’s S-branded series had a 4in (10.2cm) screen, ran Android 2.1 (Eclair) and could shoot video in 720p high definition.
A 4G variant of the device attracted the ire of Apple’s lawyers, and became part of a high-profile patent case fought by the two rivals.
The S2 was marketed as the world’s thinnest smartphone, measuring less than 8.5mm (0.33in) thick.
It had a 4.3in (10.9cm) screen and was powered by Android 2.3 (Gingerbread).
Samsung promoted the “zero lag” shutter speed of its main camera as being suitable for snapping fast-moving objects.
The S3 used eye-tracking software to detect when it was being looked at, keeping its screen bright until its owner turned away.
It had a 4.8in (12.cm) screen and ran Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich).
The phone also introduced S-Beam, a way to send files and contacts between Samsung handsets.
The S4 bordered on “phablet” status with a 5in (12.7cm) touchscreen, which could be used while wearing gloves.
Running Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) it introduced a dual-video capture mode, allowing users to record footage from both cameras simultaneously.
The S5 added dust and water resistance, promising to work after being submerged 3ft (0.9m) deep.
It came pre-installed with Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) and introduced a fingerprint scanner and heart rate monitor.
Samsung promoted its “ultra power saving mode”, which let the device eke out a day of life when its battery fell below 10%.
Samsung launched two models of its flagship phone – the Edge version had a screen that curved round its sides and was more expensive.
The phones had brighter, more detailed screens than before, and supported the firm’s new smart wallet service Samsung Pay.
However, their metal frames and glass-backed designs led to some of the S5’s features being jettisoned, including water resistance and the microSD slot.
It charges faster than the new iPhone. It has better cameras than the iPhone. The video quality is higher than the new iPhone.
And it doesn't bend.
That's the takeaway from Samsung's latest Unpacked event where it unveiled the next Galaxy phone, the S6.
Sleek and powerful, certainly - but it was a fairly bitter presentation. The firm took more than a few snipes at Apple, rather than leaving it to reviewers and users to draw their own conclusions about the Galaxy's many innovations .
The demonstrations of like-for-like pictures and video appeared to put the S6 streets ahead of the iPhone 6, but I imagine Apple would dispute the conditions.
Tellingly, there was no mention of China's Xiaomi - a company whose Android handsets have proved wildly popular in Asia, and which potentially presents a far bigger threat to Samsung's future.
You can follow Dave at MWC via his Twitter account @daveleeBBC.


Military police "made up their mind" that the death of a teenage soldier at Deepcut barracks was suicide when her body was found, an inquest has heard.

Pte Cheryl James was found dead from a bullet wound to her head at the Surrey barracks in 1995.
Former staff sergeant Terence McEleavey said he raised concerns about the suicide theory but was told to keep quiet and think about "pension time".
He said the area around the body was not preserved as it should have been.
The 18-year-old from Llangollen in Denbighshire was one of four recruits to die at the base in seven years.
Mr McEleavey told the hearing in Woking he was asked to identify Pte James's body, which was just inside the tree line close to one of the camp's entry gates and had been covered by a groundsheet.
"I was a bit peeved with it really," he said. "There was too much activity around there."
Mr McEleavey said: "They found a (bullet) case on the left-hand side of the body. It was as if they'd already made up their mind that it was a suicide and they were just walking around."
But describing how he saw Pte James's body lying face down with a gun nearby, he added: "It just struck me as odd that the weapon was away from the body.
"My initial thoughts were that there's no way she would have taken her own life.
"She wasn't depressed or anything like that. She was just her normal, happy self."
He said she had been excited about getting a posting to Germany.
He also said the position of the gun later stuck in his mind and he added: "It was away from the body as if it was laid there."
Who were the Deepcut four? Background to the deaths and timeline of events
Mr McEleavey told the inquest senior officers directed him on how to answer in interviews and he was told that if he did not have any positive evidence he should keep it to himself.
"It was along the lines of, 'you're coming to the end of your career, think about pension time'," he said.
A former GP working at Deepcut told the inquest there were "all sorts" of welfare issues among recruits and an increasing number of young female soldiers came to her surgery for the morning-after pill or abortions.
But Dr Alexandra McClenahan said Pte James appeared to have no mental health problems or related concerns.
"She struck me as a lovely, bubbly girl and was obviously keen to get posted out of Deepcut," she said.
The first inquest into Pte James's death in December 1995 recorded an open verdict. This second inquest was ordered after High Court judges quashed the original findings.
The hearing continues.


The Californian district attorney investigating a balcony collapse that killed five Irish students and one Irish-American has said she will not be bringing any criminal charges in connection with the incident.

The balcony collapsed in Berkeley, California, on 16 June last year.
Seven other Irish students were critically injured.
Nancy O'Malley has said there is "insufficient evidence" to bring criminal manslaughter charges.
The California District Attorney said it was not a decision that she "came to lightly" and was the "culmination of months of consultation with my team of attorneys".
"It follows extensive review of reports, both legal and factual, and numerous meetings with investigators and experts," she added.
"Not a day has passed since the tragedy of June 16 that I have not thought of the victims and their families.
"I am keenly aware of the devastation and injuries each victim and each family suffered and continues to confront.
"Friends, families and entire communities both in California and in Ireland have been affected by the horror of that day."
Ms O'Malley said her office had provided substantial resources to the investigation and that it had involved a large team of prosecutors, investigators and multiple state agencies.
Five 21-year-old Irish students - Eoghan Culligan, Eimear Walsh, Niccolai Schuster, Olivia Burke, LorcÃ¡n Miller - and Ashley Donohoe, a 22-year-old Irish-American, died in the incident which happened during a 21st birthday party.
On Tuesday, Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan said his thoughts were with the relatives and friends of those who died.
"My department will carefully consider the details of the district attorney's findings," he said.
"While the district attorney's investigation did not find sufficient proof to take separate criminal proceedings, it has shone a vital light on the circumstances and factors that contributed directly and indirectly to the collapse of the balcony.
"This investigation is an important step in a process, the ultimate objective of which is to ensure that a tragedy such as Berkeley never occurs again."
Lawyer Niall McCarthy of California legal firm, Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, who has handled a number of balcony collapse cases, said he was not surprised by the district attorney's decision not to prosecute.
"There has been a series of prior balcony collapse cases in California, there is only one case where there was a criminal prosecution and the reason for that is pretty straightforward," he said.
"To get a criminal conviction in California there is a very high bar and often prosecutors don't think they can prove the elements they need to prove."
Mr McCarthy said that in a criminal case the proof prosecutors required was "beyond reasonable doubt".
He said in a civil case the requirement was "more likely than not" and this was the legal avenue that could now be pursued.
"A case was filed a few months ago, there will be a trial date in San Francisco likely in about a year from now.
"Between now and that date, the owner of the building and those responsible for its maintenance are going to have to testify under oath as to what they did or failed to do to keep that balcony safe."


A 40-year-old man is being treated for a serious head injury after being attacked by a group of men outside his home in North Lanarkshire.

Police said the incident happened at about 23:20 on Saturday in Maxton Crescent in Wishaw.
The man was approached by four men as he stood outside his house. They assaulted him then stole some electrical items from his home and fled.
Detectives have appealed for witnesses.
The man was taken to Wishaw General Hospital.
Police issued descriptions of three of the four suspects.
The first was white, 25 years of age and of medium build with dyed blonde hair. He was wearing a black hooded top and black tracksuit trousers.
The second man was white, in his early 20s and wearing black-framed glasses. He had on a green hooded top.
The third was also white, in his 20s, tall and of slim build with shaved brown hair. He was wearing a black hooded top and black tracksuit trousers.
Officers were also keen to trace a woman seen standing with the men. She was described as white, in her 20s with long brown hair tied back in a ponytail. She was wearing a dark-coloured parka jacket and white trousers.
Det Sgt Alex Clark: "At this time inquiries are continuing to establish more details on this attack and the motive for it.
"I would urge anyone who witnessed this incident in Maxton Crescent last night, or who has any information that may assist police enquiries to contact Police Scotland on 101."


A woman persuaded a friend to hide a loaded gun in her home and joked over WhatsApp whether her two young children might find it.

Shyan Wright wanted the 23-year-old to hide the gun because her "yard ain't hot", meaning police were not aware or interested in her home.
Wright, from Walsall, typed "God forbid the children getting closeâ€¦Lol" when the woman said she had stashed it and eight bullets in her room.
Wright, 25, was jailed for five years.
She denied aiding and abetting possession of a firearm but changed her not guilty plea to guilty at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday and was sentenced.
More updates on this story
Wright, from Forrester Street, asked her friend, whose children were aged two and three at the time, in a series of messages on WhatsApp in May 2015.
Using the name ShyShy, she said: "I need a big favourâ€¦me and my baby father was wondering if you could hold onto a [gun emoji] for a bit. Ur only one I can trust.", West Midlands Police said.
Three days later, she asked her where she had hidden it. When the woman confirmed "in Ma room", Wright joked about her children stumbling across it.
Officers raided the friend's home weeks later and recovered the weapon. She was subsequently jailed for five years, West Midlands Police said.
Detectives did not discover who ShyShy was until a wider gun crime investigation last year uncovered intelligence on Wright.
Her home was raided on 2 November when another phone was recovered that was shown to have been used in the WhatsApp conversation.
Det Con Damian Forrest, said both women had "found to their cost the catastrophic consequences of holding on to firearms for someone else".
He added "The messages 'laughing out loud' about what might happen if they '[the children] found the loaded gun are truly shocking and sickening."


A Derry family have been targeted in a sectarian attack by a gang of youths.

On Monday, a 19-year-old man in the Waterside area of the city was chased by a gang of youths who shouted anti-Catholic abuse and threw bottles and stones.
A window was also smashed in the family's bedroom where a 3-year-old boy lay sleeping.
Police said they are treating the attack as a sectarian hate crime.
The teenage son, who didn't want to be named, said he was returning home with a friend when it happened.
"We were literally just halfway up the street and there's a few boys across the street shouting and two seconds later we got a couple of stones and glass bottles thrown at us.
"He ran one way and I ran the other. There was roughly about 10 or 12 of them.
His mother said her son was in shock when he came home.
"He was shaken up, scared like," she said.
"He was only in the door two seconds when we heard a bang on the window."
"They smashed the bedroom window where me and my 3-year-old son both sleep and he was in bed at the time.
"It only smashed the outside pane of the double glazing but if it had been a bigger stone or thrown with more force it could have hit him in his bed while he was sleeping.
"They have no thought for anybody and it was a completely unprovoked attack."
Police are appealing for witnesses who were in vicinity of Dungiven Road, Glendermott Road, Bentley Terrace or Meehans Terrace at around 00:30 GMT who can help identify those involved in this incident.


Spain's Princess Cristina has lost an appeal to have the two charges she faces of tax evasion dropped.

A court in Palma ruled that the 50-year-old sister of King Felipe must stand trial in a case involving her husband's business dealings.
If found guilty, she could face a maximum of eight years in jail.
Princess Cristina has denied knowledge of the alleged embezzlement scam that also involves her husband and 16 other defendants. They all deny the charges.
The case was launched in 2010 and has become highly symbolic of perceived corruption among Spain's elites, including the royal family.
Last year, King Felipe stripped his sister and her husband Inaki Urdangarin of their titles, the Duke and Duchess of Palma de Mallorca.
Princess Cristina now lives in Switzerland, but remains the sixth in line to the Spanish throne and is the first member of the royal family to go on trial.
The princess's lawyers argued that as public prosecutors had refused to press charges against her, the counts should be dismissed.
But the three judges agreed to continue with the prosecution using the evidence filed by the the anti-corruption group, Manos Limpias, meaning "Clean Hands".
The charges relate to the real estate company Aizoon that she owned with her husband, a former Olympic handball medallist.
She is accused of making personal use of Aizoon funds for paying for clothes and dance lessons for the couple's children as well as work on the couple's Barcelona mansion, which reduced the firm's taxable profits.
Her husband is alleged to have used the non-profit Noos Institute sports foundation he ran as a vehicle to win falsely inflated contracts from regional government bodies, before channelling the money to personal accounts via tax havens.
Noos is alleged to have received more than â‚¬6m (Â£4.4m; $6.5m) of public money, most of it from the Balearic Islands and Valencia regional governments.
If found guilty, Mr Urdangarin could face 19 years and six months in jail.
Hearings into the case will resume next month in Palma.


Irish Premiership champions Linfield have been drawn away to Albion Rovers or Spartans in the second round of the Scottish Challenge Cup.

Albion beat Edinburgh-based Lowland League side Spartans on penalties in the first round but could be eliminated for fielding an ineligible player.
Crusaders will be at home to Motherwell's Under-20s side who beat Queen's Park on Wednesday.
Two teams from the Republic of Ireland are participating for the first time.
Bray Wanderers will travel to Elgin City while Sligo Rovers have home advantage against Falkirk.
The matches are scheduled for 2/3 September.
This is the second season in which two clubs from Northern Ireland and two from Wales  are taking part in the competition which involves clubs from the Scottish Championship and Leagues One and Two as well as teams from the Highland and Lowland Leagues.
Last year Crusaders lost 2-1 to Livingston while Linfield were beaten 2-0 at Queen of the South.
The competition was won by Dundee United who beat St Mirren in the final in March.
See the full draw for the second round of the Scottish Challenge Cup


National League club Sutton United have signed former Arsenal trainee Jeffrey Monakana on an 18-month contract.

The 23-year-old versatile attacking midfielder previously played for Preston and joined Brighton in 2012.
He did not play for the Seagulls but had loan spells at five British clubs, including Aberdeen, before switching to Romanian side Voluntari in January.
He was close to signing for League Two outfit Cheltenham Town in August, but the move was never finalised.
He told Sutton United's website: "I had other options to sign for Football League teams but, having spoken to the gaffer, I really feel this is the right move for me at this stage of my career."


Plans to partly demolish a derelict Denbighshire landmark, building up to 200 homes and 34 apartments, have been approved.

The proposals for North Wales Hospital in Denbigh have been put forward by Prince's Regeneration Trust.
Denbighshire council won a compulsory purchase order earlier this year from the site's owners amid concerns about the Grade II-listed building.
Freemont (Denbigh) Ltd is expected to retain ownership until early 2017.
Subject to the change of ownership, Denbighshire council plans to hand over the former Victorian asylum to North Wales Buildings Preservation Trust.
It will operate as a not-for-profit organisation raising the money to preserve the listed buildings on the site via its "enabling development" plans, with profits made from the sale of new properties elsewhere on the site.
Freemont bought the hospital site in 2003 following its closure in 1996.
Planning permission was granted in 2006 for a redevelopment scheme but it has since expired and no work was carried out.
In 2015, the council spent Â£900,000 on emergency repairs in a bid to protect it from deterioration.
Freemont, which is based in the British Virgin Isles, had opposed the compulsory purchase, while Ayub Bhailok, speaking on the company's behalf, called the latest plans "flawed and unsustainable".
On Wednesday, Denbighshire council's planning committee approved the latest proposals.
Ward councillor Colin Hughes said the development would "be very good for the town", bringing an increase in residents and visitors.
"The importance of this development to the future of Denbigh is immeasurable," he said.
"Nothing has happened here apart from deterioration in the last 21 years," he added, referring to the building itself which, he said, had played a large part of people's lives in the past.
"As it is now it is absolutely useless to us."


A solicitor who stole Â£4m from client accounts, including from the estates of dead people and the Church of England, has been jailed for seven years.

Linda Box, 67, admitted 12 offences of fraud, theft and forgery while working as a senior partner at Dixon, Coles and Gill solicitors in Wakefield.
She was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court for the deception, which covered a 12-year period.
Box spent the money on shopping sprees, expensive hotels, and holidays.
Box, of Halifax Road, Dewsbury, took more than Â£63,000 from the Church of England while acting as a registrar for the Diocese of Wakefield, the court heard.
Simon Higginbotham, from the CPS Specialist Fraud Division, said: "Linda Box used her position as a trusted partner in a law firm to steal millions of pounds from the estates of those who had died, depriving their grieving friends and families of their rightful inheritance.
"She also abused her senior position of responsibility within the Church of England by stealing," he said.
The court heard Box used the money she stole on shopping sprees, expensive hotels, vintage wines and to pay off multiple mortgages.
She also paid more than Â£230,000 to a marketing and public relations firm which did work for her husband's firm of funeral directors.
Speaking after sentencing, Det Insp Dan Tillett, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "She was incredibly deceitful, taking cash from the estates of the deceased and using it as her own to fund her lavish lifestyle.
"She preyed on vulnerable people at one of the most difficult times of their lives," he said.
Dixon, Coles and Gill, a 200-year-old firm that had offices in Wakefield and Horbury, was closed after a fraud investigation was launched by police in January 2016.
The premises have since been sold off and staff made redundant.


A parliamentary candidate for Labour at the May election must pay £894 compensation and do 60 hours of unpaid work after being convicted of fraud.

Richard Garvie, 30, who stood for Wellingborough and Rushden, bought train tickets using a bank account he knew contained insufficient funds.
He said he "did not set out to defraud East Midlands Trains".
At Corby Magistrates' Court on Friday he was also ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge and court costs of £400.
Garvie, from Corby in Northamptonshire, denied the offence but was convicted at Wellingborough Magistrates' Court on Thursday 30 April.
At the time he told magistrates he ran up a debt in his own name in 2012 because he had been "desperate to see the people he cared about" in Berkshire.
"I didn't know I'd get into trouble. I intentionally went overdrawn on my account, that account was then sent to a debt collection agency and the debt was paid off," he said.
Garvie said he would appeal against the conviction.
According to a Labour Party spokesman he resigned on the day of the elections when he lost to Conservative Peter Bone who had been MP for Wellingborough since 2005.


US President Barack Obama has given South Africa 60 days to remove barriers to US farm produce or face sanctions in a long-running row over chicken exports.

South Africa banned US poultry imports last December after an outbreak of bird flu.
The latest escalation would threaten South African exports to the US of oranges, nuts and wine.
South Africa exports $250m (Â£165m) of farm products to the US each year.
In a letter to Congress, Mr Obama said he was taking the step because South Africa "continued to impose barriers to US trade".
In contrast, Africa's second-largest economy has been able to export its meat to the United States duty-free.
The Unites States also says South Africa has used unwarranted sanitary restrictions to keep out US pork and beef.
South Africa says it is taking the warning seriously and is working to find a solution.
Trade Minister Rob Davies told reporters in Cape Town that they are "pretty close to resolving the sanitary matters that were outstanding".
The BBC's Lerato Mbele in Johannesburg says high-value goods such as cars remain unaffected by the latest dispute.
South Africa could still avoid the suspension, which could cost it up to $7m (Â£5m) in lost trade, if it meets benchmarks to eliminate barriers to US poultry, pork, and beef, said US Trade Representative Michael Froman.
"We do not take this decision lightly, and, in fact, have been working hard over many months - indeed years - to help South Africa avoid such action. Unfortunately, the issues persist," Mr Froman said in a statement.
Eliminating barriers to US trade and investment is one of the criteria for membership of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), which was renewed earlier this year and provides duty-free access to goods from sub-Saharan African countries, ranging from crude oil to clothing.
Analysis: Matthew Davies, BBC Africa Business Report
These are warning shots in a dispute which both sides would like to see go away.
However, trade disputes are never straight-forward, but tend to be convoluted games of chess and this one is no exception. There's much posturing at the moment.
South Africa's trade minister Rob Davies says: "When someone says jump, you don't say 'How high?', you negotiate." These sorts of warning shots are negotiating tactics; an attempt to speed the process along.
But if the Americans are trying to force the South Africans to accept their poultry exports, they may be going about it the wrong way.
The South African government is adamant that the delay lies not with them, but with the independent vets looking into whether or not the imported US birds are safe.
Nonetheless, missing the 15 October deadline to agree new animal health rules infuriated the Americans. But is this a slippery slope to South Africa being kicked out of Agoa? That would seem very unlikely.
What is far more likely is that a deal will be done within two months. But even in its absence, it's still a long road to Agoa exit.
The South Africans know this and are in no mood to jeopardise the billions tied up in their car industry which gains significant advantage from exporting tariff-free into the US. The investment figures in South Africa's automotive sector are not chicken feed and are unlikely to be risked in a trade spat.


BBC Sport's football expert Mark Lawrenson is pitting his wits against a different guest each week this season.

Lawro's opponent for the midweek Premier League fixtures is comedian and actor Elis James.
James has been a Swansea City regular since discovering football through the 1990 World Cup and, after following them home and away over years of failed qualifying campaigns, is also eagerly anticipating watching Wales at Euro 2016 this summer.
"My dad was such an insane rugby man that football was not much part of my life until I was nine or 10," James told BBC Sport. "He had sort of kept the fact that Wales had a football team from me, and there was basically no football in my house.
"After watching Italia 90 and loving Paul Gascoigne, I thought England were kind of like a British Lions side - I must have been very confused.
"Then I remember watching Wales beat Belgium 3-1 later that year. Mark Hughes, Ian Rush and Dean Saunders scored, and it was our first game in our new Umbro kit at Cardiff Arms Park.
"I genuinely did not realise Wales had a football team until then, but I have loved football ever since - and I have got zero interest in rugby."
James frequently shows off his favourite football shirts when he plays Owen in BBC Three sitcom Josh, but laments that he is not able to wear all of them.
"That 1990 Wales kit was my first football shirt - I got it for my 10th birthday - but my favourite is the Adidas one Wales wore from 1984-87," he explained.
"That was framed in the living room of Josh because, although I was able to wear it initially, there were so many biscuits on set that I put on weight. Those shirts are not too forgiving and it was decreed that it would be off-putting if I squeezed into it.
"I chose my greatest Wales XI for BBC Radio Wales last year and on the picture they use on the iPlayer I am wearing that shirt and just about get away with it. Sadly, 250 biscuits later, it was just too tight."
Our scoring system has changed this season and a correct result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is now worth 10 points. The exact score earns 40 points.
This week, Lawro is also up against a state-of-the-art sports-forecasting super-computer called SAM (Sports Analytics Machine). You can see SAM's scores below.
On FA Cup third-round weekend, Lawro correctly predicted the outcome of 12 of the 31 ties that were played.
Scores from those FA Cup ties do not count towards the totals for Lawro and his guests (below). There is a table of how the Premier League would look if all of Lawro's predictions were correct at the bottom of the page.
Make your own predictions now, compare them to Lawro and other fans and try to take your team to the top of the leaderboard by playing the BBC Sport Predictor game.
All kick-offs 19:45 GMT unless otherwise stated
Lawro's prediction: 0-2
Elis James: 0-3
SAM's prediction: 0-1
Lawro's prediction: 2-1
Elis James: 2-2
SAM's prediction: 1-1
Lawro's prediction: 1-1
Elis James: 0-1
SAM's prediction: 0-1
Lawro's prediction: 2-0
Elis James: 2-0
SAM's prediction: 1-0
Lawro's prediction: 2-0
Elis James: 3-1
SAM's prediction: 1-1
Lawro's prediction: 2-1
Elis James: 0-2
SAM's prediction: 1-0
Lawro's prediction: 2-0
Elis James: 2-1
SAM's prediction: 1-1
Lawro's prediction: 1-1
Elis James: 1-0
SAM's prediction: 1-0
Lawro's prediction: 1-1
Elis James: 1-2
SAM's prediction: 1-1
Lawro's prediction: 2-0
Elis James: 1-0
SAM's prediction: 1-1
Lawro was speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.
SAM was built by Professor Ian McHale, Dr Georgi Boshnakov and Tarak Kharrat from the Centre for Sports Business at the University of Salford.
Lawro's best score: 160 points (week 19 v Guy Mowbray)
Lawro's worst score: 20 points (week one v Graeme Swann)


The government is to press ahead with a cut in fees for solicitors in criminal legal aid cases, but has shelved similar plans for barristers.

The coalition government planned to reduce fees for litigators in two stages, with an 8.75% cut in 2014 and an 8.75% cut this year.
Legal aid minister Shailesh Vara said the latest cut will come into force in England and Wales on 1 July.
He said concerns had been "very carefully" listened to.
Inquiries had reassured the government that "legal aid reforms so far have not had any substantial negative impact on the sustainability of the service," he went on.
The decision to scrap cuts to advocacy fees for barristers will be offset by alternative savings in the criminal justice sector, Mr Vara said.
The minister also said plans to bring in new contracts for duty solicitors will go ahead.
In March, lawyers lost a court appeal against the plans to cut the number of duty solicitor contracts at magistrates' courts and police stations in England and Wales from 1,600 to 527.
Andrew Caplen, president of the Law Society which represents solicitors, said he was "deeply concerned".
"The administration of justice is a fundamental duty of government and access to justice is an essential part of that responsibility," he said.
"Criminal legal aid solicitors are critical for ensuring that anyone accused of wrongdoing has a fair trial and yet few young lawyers see a future in this work, which is of extreme concern."
The Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, welcomed the decision to protect advocacy fees.
But it added it had "grave concerns" about solicitors' fee cuts and the dual contracting scheme, which are "likely seriously to damage access to justice".
Criminal Bar Association chairman Tony Cross said he regretted the decisions to "impose further fee cuts on hard-pressed litigators" and to press ahead with the new duty provider contracts.
Mr Vara said: "The changes we are pressing ahead with today are designed to ensure that we have a system of criminal legal aid that delivers value for money to taxpayers, that provides high quality legal advice to those that need it most, and that puts the profession on a sustainable footing for the long term."
He said there would be a review of the cuts to fees and the new contracts in July 2016.


Newly-promoted Bristol have signed Tonga international prop Soane Tonga'uiha from French Top 14 side Oyonnax on a one-year contract.

The 34-year-old has featured in two World Cups and played 121 top-flight matches in seven years at Northampton.
Tonga'uiha, who has also played for Bedford and Racing Metro, moves back to England after two seasons with Oyonnax.
"I'm looking forward to playing in the Premiership again, a hugely competitive league," he told the club website.
"Bristol Rugby is a good place to be - there's a buzz around the place ahead of the new season and I'm excited to be involved."
Director of rugby Andy Robinson says Tonga'uiha will "provide excellent guidance" for a club that is making its Premiership return after a seven-year absence.
"Soane has a wealth of experience and has proven himself to be a consistent performer at the highest level," Robinson added.
Bristol, who were drawn in the same Challenge Cup Pool as West Country rivals Bath on Wednesday, have also already added Saints back row Jon Fisher to their squad ahead of the 2016-17 season.


Crisis-hit Fifa should consider a new "credible external presidential candidate of high integrity" to replace the suspended Sepp Blatter.

Thomas Bach, International Olympic Committee president, said Fifa must "regain credibility" after bans for Blatter, vice-president Michel Platini and secretary general Jerome Valcke.
World football's governing body is investigating corruption allegations against the trio, who deny wrongdoing.
"Enough is enough," Bach said.
"Fifa must realise that this is now about more than just a list of candidates. This is also a structural problem and will not be solved simply by the election of a new president."
The three men are provisionally suspended for 90 days while Fifa's ethics committee continues its investigation. Issa Hayatou, who heads Africa's football confederation (Caf), will act as Fifa president during Blatter's ban, but will not permanently replace him.
South Korean ex-Fifa vice-president Chung Mong-joon said his six-year ban - also handed down on Thursday - was "politically motivated" to sabotage his presidential campaign.
Blatter won a fifth consecutive Fifa presidential election in May, but quickly announced his decision to step down in the wake of widespread corruption allegations against 14 Fifa officials and associates.
He is due to finish his term at a Fifa extraordinary congress on 26 February.
Uefa president Platini, 60, says he refuses to believe the "farcical" development is designed to "crush" his candidacy and still plans to stand. He has the full backing of Uefa, which is holding an emergency meeting next week, while Football Association chairman Greg Dyke says the FA will withdraw its support for the former France international midfielder if he is found to have "behaved dishonestly".
Chung, another leading candidate, maintained he would "expose the injustice" of his ban and help "bring about a true rebirth of Fifa" after describing the world football governing body as "like the sinking Titanic".
Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan, pushed Blatter to a second round of voting in May's poll, winning 73 votes, before standing aside in the contest. The 39-year-old is  free of any corruption allegations and former FA chairman David Bernstein told BBC Sport the Jordanian was a "person of repute".
However, Bernstein insisted that football needed a choice of strong candidates "beyond reproach" that had "impeachable character and no baggage" - even if that meant looking outside of the sport.
"Someone of a Seb Coe stature in football, a man of great reputation that has done a huge amount within and without the sport - that would be the best thing," said Bernstein.
British former Olympic 1500m champion Lord Coe, 58, is the new president of the IAAF, the body that governs world athletics.
"If we can't find that person we should look externally," added Bernstein.
"This is a road crash we could see ahead of us. Blatter is a fool to himself to stay on for so long."
Klaus Stoehlker, a close friend and advisor to Blatter, told the BBC that the suspended Fifa president had been "put on the touchline" but said he was confident that he would return to the helm of the organisation.
His 90-day ban would expire in January.
"He will be back early to hopefully organise the congress in 2016," Stoehlker said.
"It is a pity that after 40 years in football he should have this happen to him. This is not the end. He will have the final word."
Media playback is not supported on this device
Former England striker Gary Lineker supported Bach's calls for a new, untainted candidate in February's election.
"It just seems that everybody in Fifa or Uefa involved in the running of the game is implicated in some way, or certainly suspicious of bad behaviour in some way, so who knows how far it goes or how many dominoes will fall," said the former Leicester, Tottenham and England striker.
"The new leader needs to be somebody with integrity, above suspicion," he said. "They need to do a total clean sweep and reform Fifa."
Lineker, 54, added: "Sepp Blatter is remarkable in the sense that he seems to keep wriggling away from things, but it seems to be catching up with him. The house of cards appears to be collapsing at Fifa which inevitably leads to the man at the top at some point. He seems to have had more lives than a cat."
Sports Minister Tracey Crouch tweeted that Blatter's "time at the top is up" and he should resign immediately.
She later added: "The only way forward for Fifa is full-scale reform. It has to be much more accountable, transparent and restore the faith of football fans across the world.
"Blatter has hung on to his position for too long and a new president must drive through widespread change."
And players' association Fifpro said in a statement: "A pattern has emerged that leaves little or no confidence in the ability of Fifa to reform from within."
Blatter has been president of Fifa since 1998. He won a fifth term in May but just days later announced his intention to step down, amid corruption allegations after United States authorities indicted 14 Fifa officials and associates on bribery and racketeering charges.
Former France international Platini is a vice-president of Fifa and has held the post of president at European confederation Uefa since 2007. He was once seen as a key ally of Blatter but their relationship deteriorated when Platini urged Blatter to step down earlier this year.
Valcke is the general-secretary of Fifa and was effectively Blatter's second-in-command until he was suspended last month following allegations he was involved in a scheme to profit from the sale of World Cup tickets.
Blatter is accused of signing a contract "unfavourable" to Fifa and making a "disloyal payment" to Platini, who is also president of European football's governing body - Uefa.
The ethics committee also opened an inquiry into Platini over the 2m euros (£1.35m) payment, which was made nine years after the 60-year-old carried out consultation work for Blatter.
Valcke was already on gardening leave from his Fifa post following newspaper allegations last month which implicated the 54-year-old in a scheme to profit from the sale of World Cup tickets.


Michael Brown's first game in caretaker charge of Port Vale ended in victory against Chesterfield in League One.

A second half goal from Jerome Thomas put an end to a dismal run of form for the Valiants, who had not won in the league since 12 November.
The first real chance of the Vale Park contest occurred on 37 minutes when Vale striker Rigino Cicilia played a one-two with Thomas before producing a save from goalkeeper Ryan Fulton at his near post.
Chesterfield started the second half on the front foot with a half-hearted penalty appeal from Ched Evans being ignored by referee Michael Salisbury.
Vale made the decisive breakthrough just past the hour mark when captain Ben Purkiss passed to Thomas on the right and his cross-shot looped over Fulton.
The Spireites tried to hit back in the 78th minute when a free-kick was hit long into the Vale penalty area and a header out was met by substitute Rai Simons - but he blazed his shot over.
Report supplied by the Press Association.
Jerome Thomas (Port Vale) is shown the yellow card.
Match ends, Port Vale 1, Chesterfield 0.
Second Half ends, Port Vale 1, Chesterfield 0.
Substitution, Port Vale. Sebastien Amoros replaces Anthony de Freitas.
Attempt missed. Dan Turner (Port Vale) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is too high.
Substitution, Port Vale. Kiko replaces Sam Kelly.
Substitution, Port Vale. Dan Turner replaces Jerome Thomas.
Attempt missed. Ched Evans (Chesterfield) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left.
Substitution, Chesterfield. Dan Gardner replaces Jay O'Shea.
Attempt saved. Ryan Taylor (Port Vale) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Jerome Thomas (Port Vale) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Sam Hird (Chesterfield).
Attempt missed. Rai Simons (Chesterfield) right footed shot from the right side of the box is just a bit too high.
Foul by Jerome Thomas (Port Vale).
Jon Nolan (Chesterfield) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Ryan Taylor (Port Vale) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Substitution, Chesterfield. Conor Wilkinson replaces Reece Mitchell.
Ian Evatt (Chesterfield) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Jerome Thomas (Port Vale) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Ian Evatt (Chesterfield).
Corner,  Port Vale. Conceded by Ian Evatt.
Foul by Sam Kelly (Port Vale).
Ched Evans (Chesterfield) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sam Hird (Chesterfield) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Jerome Thomas (Port Vale) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Sam Hird (Chesterfield).
Corner,  Chesterfield. Conceded by Ben Purkiss.
Hand ball by Liam O'Neil (Chesterfield).
Corner,  Chesterfield. Conceded by Nathan Smith.
Foul by Anthony Grant (Port Vale).
Liam O'Neil (Chesterfield) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Goal!  Port Vale 1, Chesterfield 0. Jerome Thomas (Port Vale) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Rigino Cicilia.
Foul by Jerome Thomas (Port Vale).
Liam O'Neil (Chesterfield) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Nathan Smith (Port Vale) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Ched Evans (Chesterfield).
Substitution, Chesterfield. Rai Simons replaces Gboly Ariyibi.
Attempt saved. Ryan Taylor (Port Vale) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Attempt missed. Kjell Knops (Port Vale) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Corner,  Chesterfield. Conceded by Nathan Smith.


Migrants trying to leave Bangladesh illegally are tainting the country's image, its prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, has said.

Ms Hasina said their attempts to leave had made them "mentally sick".
Describing them as fortune-seekers, she said they should be punished alongside middlemen who arrange their travel.
Bangladesh and Myanmar have seen an exodus of people fleeing south by boat through the Bay of Bengal towards Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Thousands of people - economic migrants from Bangladesh and Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Myanmar - are thought to be stranded in boats.
Also on Sunday, several mass graves thought to contain bodies of migrants were found in Malaysia, authorities there said.
Ms Hasina said: "Side by side with the middlemen, punishment will have to be given to those who are moving from the country in an illegal way.
"They are tainting the image of the country in the international arena and putting their life into danger."
She said: "There is sufficient work for them; still they are leaving the country in such disastrous ways."
Ms Hasina said measures were needed to prevent migrants handing money to middlemen and "falling into a trap".
The prime minister was addressing senior labour and employment officials.
She said those trying to leave think they will "earn a huge amount of money if they go abroad", but this showed a "mentally sick" attitude.
In addition to migrants stranded at sea, thousands have landed in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.
Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed to stop towing boats out to sea and will provide temporary shelter to those who have landed. Thailand has only said it would stop rejecting boats.
On Sunday, Malaysian Home Minister Zahid Hamidi was quoted by Malaysia's Star newspaper as saying graves had been found in 17 abandoned trafficking camps near Padang Besar and Wang Kelian, close to the Thai border.
He did not know how many bodies had been recovered.
Several mass graves have also been found in Thailand along a route used to smuggle Rohingyas, but these graves would the first discovered in Malaysia.
An investigation by the BBC's Jonathan Head has found entire communities in Thailand helping the traffickers.
The Thai trafficking networks, he found, bought boatloads of migrants from other smugglers and held them in the jungle until their families paid a ransom. Many migrants are believed to have perished from disease or starvation.
Why are so many Rohingya stranded at sea?
The perilous journey of a migrant boat that made it
The Indonesian villagers saving migrants


Voters have "had enough of being threatened" by the prime minister and chancellor, prominent Leave campaigner Nigel Farage has said.

Remain campaigners argue the UK will suffer a recession if it opts to leave the European Union.
But the UKIP leader hinted on BBC's The Andrew Marr Show that people had begun to see through the "scare stories".
He added: "I think collectively people are beginning to put two fingers up to the political class."
Mr Farage also downplayed the impact Brexit could have on the value of sterling after the FTSE closed down 116 points on Friday.
He said: "I did work in this area for 20 years, I know a little bit more about it than most people.
"Sterling is up since March. Since Brexit became a possibility sterling is up and FTSE is exactly the same level it was in March and what happened on Friday were very bad economic figures from America and the fact that our growth forecasts in Britain have been downgraded from 2.5% to 2% and that our borrowing is still out of control.
"Again, these are ludicrous scare stories that are being put out.
"Even if sterling were to fall a few percentage points after a Brexit, so what?"
But later on the same programme, Prime Minister David Cameron warned that if the pound fell post-Brexit the prices in shops would rise.
He also said that several independent economic forecasters had predicted a recession if the UK decided to leave the union.
He told the show: "I totally accept that people are confused by having so many statistics and that there is a lot of frustration because of that.
"But I think it is actually my job as prime minister, when you have got information coming from independent forecasters... to talk about those risks and it would be very irresponsible not to."
Mr Farage questioned the neutrality of organisations like the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), saying that three quarters of its funding came from the British government and the European Union.
"You don't bite the hand that feeds you," he said.
Mr Farage went on to say that he believed there had been a "shift in the last fortnight" and a change in the debate about the EU referendum - for which voters will go to the polls on 23 June.
"People have had enough of being threatened by the prime minister and the chancellor and I think collectively people are beginning to put two fingers up to the political class," he said.
He was also asked about claims he made earlier in the year when he said migrants were using the NHS for HIV treatment.
He said: "Should we say to people from all over the world if you've got a very serious disease we are very happy for the National Health Service to provide whatever healthcare you want, at the same time as it now takes people all over Britain a fortnight to get a GP appointment?
"It's about priorities, isn't it? And my priority would be we put our own people first. It's about time we did."
The IFS hit back at the UKIP leader, saying that although it did receive some funding from research councils supported by the UK government and the EU, this did not in any way influence its work.
In a statement on its website, the think tank said it had been "fearless and beholden to nobody" throughout its 40-year history and that Mr Farage's comments were "an attack not just on the IFS but suggest that academic independence does not exist".


A pensioner has been jailed for abusing a girl in the 1980s while they played games and he gave her piggy-back rides.

Deryk Alex-Sanders, 81, abused the eight-year-old girl when she visited his home, but the assaults were not revealed for more than 30 years.
Alex-Sanders, of Denys Road, Totnes, admitted three charges of indecent assault.
The pensioner, who is said to be in poor health, was jailed for two years at Exeter Crown Court.
Judge Phillip Wassall said: "The impact of assaults on young children when they are growing up can be buried in their subconscious for many years until something triggers the memory.
"Offences like these change the lives of the victims, although it is clear you do not understand how disastrous they can be.
"You have had 30 years living a good and healthy life while the victim has spent that length of time trying to deal with the consequences of this offence."
The victim revealed the assaults during counselling, the court heard.
Lee Bremridge, prosecuting, said Alex-Sanders has a previous conviction for similar assaults on another girl at around the same time, for which he received a nine-month suspended sentence in 1997.
Martin Salloway, mitigating, said Alex-Sanders was now in very poor health which meant any jail sentence would be particularly hard for him to cope with.


A recycling site blaze that has been burning since last month in Swindon has led to its owner being forced to dump tonnes of material in landfill.

Averies in Marshgate has been ordered by the Environment Agency to remove 3,000 tonnes of waste in order for the fire to be finally put out.
Wiltshire Fire and Rescue manager, James Mahoney said: "We hope the first truckloads of waste will be removed early next week."
The waste will go to Blunsdon landfill.
Averies has refused to comment about the waste being removed.
Before it is placed in landfill, the water-sodden waste will be checked it is not alight or likely to combust.
The rubbish pile is 30ft (9.1m) high in places and needs to be dismantled carefully to prevent the smouldering mass from bursting into flames again once it gets exposed to air.
Fire crews said smoke levels are likely to temporarily increase as more water is put on the rubbish stack.
The Environment Agency has said the firm cannot currently trade from the site in Marshgate under the terms of the enforcement notice.
Julia Simpson from the agency said: "It means they will not be able to trade on the site now.
"Clearly, we look at whether an operator is fit and proper to carry out their responsibilities and currently Averies are not carrying out their responsibilities on site."
But she declined to confirm whether the site would be shut down permanently.
The waste removal will cost about Â£500,000, which the agency has said will initially be paid for by taxpayers.
However, it will seek to recover this money from Averies.
If Averies does not remove the waste itself, the work will be carried out by a contractor employed by the Environment Agency.


The Scottish government aims to halve the employment gap for disabled people as part of an action plan to boost disability support.

The Fairer Scotland for Disabled People plan includes 93 actions aimed at aiding independent living, protecting rights and improving working lives.
Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman said 1m disabled people contribute to Scotland's communities.
Disability groups welcomed the plan as a "positive direction of travel".
Campaigners say many disabled people still face discrimination, poverty and prejudice.
The Scottish government, which is taking over some social security services including disability benefits, drew up the action plan around five key ambitions. They are:
Ms Freeman launched the plan at the Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow, where she met disabled staff, interns and apprentices from businesses and organisations around the city.
She said: "We know many disabled people are still unable to live their lives as they would want to because of the barriers in their way.
"It is not the impairment which disables people, but society's failure to adapt our environment, workplaces and information so they are open to everyone on an equal basis. This must change.
"The time for talking is over and it's time for action. We cannot achieve these changes unless we work together across the public sector and with the direct involvement of disabled people. Our strong collaboration is essential as we take the 93 actions forward."
The move was welcomed by disability groups, although they warned that there was "no time to lose" in the current climate of welfare cuts.
Dr Sally Witcher, chief executive of Inclusion Scotland, said the plan sets out "a positive direction of travel towards a fairer Scotland for disabled people, based on a firm foundation of human rights".
She said: "Specific commitments on funding for internships, to promote volunteering and to help address the under-representation of disabled people in politics and public life are particularly welcome.
"But the challenge now is to transform ambitions into actions that will, in turn, transform disabled people's lives and the country we live in. There is much to be done and no time to lose."
Layla Theiner of Disability Agenda Scotland added: "As the plan notes, public spending cuts to services and social security have negatively impacted a large number of disabled people and exacerbated inequalities.
"It is key that the ambitions and actions in the report are realised to ensure a difference is made to their lives."


A Labour MP who backed air strikes on Syria has seen his Friday surgery for constituents called off over plans for an anti-war protest.

Stephen Doughty, MP for Cardiff South and Penarth, said managers of Moorland Community Centre in Splott cancelled it amid concerns for other visitors.
He said he offered to meet protesters away from the venue, with no reply.
Stop the War Coalition said it was keen to ensure other day-to-day activities at the centre were not obstructed.
Mr Doughty said the cancellation was a shame for people who needed to see him.
Writing on his website, Mr Doughty said: "Although I have no issue with the protesters making their case, the staff at the centre were understandably not at all comfortable with a protest picket taking place outside a venue that caters specifically for older and vulnerable people.
"The wellbeing of the centre users must be the main consideration and I fully understand their decision."
A Stop the War spokesman said he welcomed Mr Doughty's decision to meet with constituents about the intervention in Syria, adding: "However, this argument should also be aired in public."
Mr Doughty and three Welsh Labour colleagues - Chris Bryant, Wayne David and Susan Elan Jones - joined the 11 Welsh Conservative MPs in voting for air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria in a Commons vote earlier in December.
He said: "Regrettably therefore, the surgery has had to be cancelled - and I sincerely apologise to any constituents who had planned to visit me there to seek assistance. They can of course contact my office to make alternative arrangements.
"I offered, in public, to meet with the protesters away from the surgery so as not to cause disruption to the Moorland centre and to those constituents who planned to attend - but the organisers did not respond.
"It's a shame that this will now have a knock-on effect on people who might have needed urgent assistance."
A total of 66 Labour MPs from across the UK backed the extension of military action, despite the opposition of their party leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Mr Doughty defended his decision to vote for air strikes, saying he believed "the first responsibility of government and the opposition is to defend the national interest, and meet our international obligations".
"These issues go well above internal party politics, and cross party political lines," he added.
The day after the vote, Mr Bryant told the Commons many MPs had been subjected to abuse and intimidation for their views on air strikes.