A Chinese dissident jailed for murdering a reclusive author in Hampstead has lost his bid to appeal the conviction in the European Court of Human Rights.

Wang Yam was jailed for life in 2009 for battering reclusive Allan Chappelow, 86, to death at his £4million home in Downshire Hill.

Last Thursday, judge Mr Justice Ouseley denied Yam’s request to appeal his conviction at the Strasbourg court.

Yam claims his conviction was unfair due to a gagging order issued at his trial by then Home Secretary Jacqui Smith ruling that sections of Yam’s defence must be heard behind closed doors in the interests of national security.