The killer nurse who murdered two patients and brought 15 to the brink of death will not taste freedom for three decades.

Benjamin Geen, 25, maintained the same emotionless expression yesterday that he held during his two-month trial, as Mr Justice Crane delivered 17 life sentences and told him he would not be due for parole for a minimum of 30 years.

Geen had been convicted of murdering two of his patients at the Horton Hospital, Banbury, and almost killing 15 others after injecting them with drugs or turning up the oxygen, stopping them breathing, before helping resuscitate them.

As Geen was led from the dock in Court One yesterday, he continued to proclaim his innocence. Geen was found guilty at Oxford Crown Court on April 17 of murdering two patients in his care and causing grievous bodily harm with intent to a further 15.

The 25-year-old said in a statement: "Whilst I express every sympathy for the victims and their families, I continue to maintain my innocence.

"I respect the jury's right to decide, but I do not accept their decision because I am innocent of all counts and I wish to lodge an appeal.

"I support a full public inquiry and I am suspicious of any reason put forward as to why a public inquiry is not necessary."

His lawyer, Silvil Lloyd Morris, said no appeal had been lodged, but Geen had another week in which to do so.

Geen's parents, Mick and Erica, also continued to back their son yesterday. The judge mentioned the loyalty the couple had given to their son during his trial.

He said they have been in court every day, even though another of their children was in hospital throughout the trial.

Mr and Mrs Geen said they were totally convinced of their son's innocence and would continue to fight on his behalf.

They said in a separate statement: "We feel that the jury were put in an impossible position and unable to understand the vast amount of complicated and often confusing medical evidence presented to them."

It took the jury four days to reach their verdicts on the case after the two-month trial, but Mr and Mrs Geen felt this was not long enough.

They added: "We know that our son neither committed nor is capable or committing these terrible crimes. On that basis, we would welcome a full public inquiry."