ARENA bomber Hashem Abedi has been told he must serve a minimum of 55 years for the May 2017 atrocity.

Abedi was sentenced for 22 murders at the Old Bailey today and conspiracy to cause an explosion at an Arianne Grande concert attended by thousands of youngsters.

His victims included Trafford public relations worker Martyn Hett, whose family have campaigned vigorously for a victim's law in his name since his death.

The 23-year-old plotted the devastating attack, which also left many injured, with his brother Salman in the months leading up to the detonation.

Abedi convinced close friends to buy chemicals that could be used to manufacture explosives, sourced metal drums that were used to build bomb prototypes and bought a white Nissan Micra car that was used to store bomb components in Manchester while the brothers were in Libya.

The defendant also acted as his brother's driver while they brought their plan to fruition. Hashem was arrested in Libya the next day and later extradited back to the UK.

Figen Murray, mother of 29-year-old Martyn, described how she is now unable to go to bed until after 10.31pm, the time the bomb went off.

She said: "I still cannot reconcile that I was fast asleep while my son lay dead on the floor, and I am ashamed about that."

"The enormity of the loss has left a massive void, Martyn was at the top of his game, he had wonderful friendships and he was due to travel."

Mr Hett's father Paul Hett said the family would "never get over" his death.

He said: "Few of us can face going near to the arena or Victoria station. Every subsequent act of terrorism brings fresh anxiety.

"We are living in constant fear that something like this can happen again - that knock on the door."

Speaking after the sentencing hearing, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Ian Hopkins, said: “Today marks the end of a three year quest for justice, following one of the worst terrorist attacks this country has seen, and one of the darkest days in our city’s history.

“Of course, for the families and friends of those 22 souls whose lives were brutally cut short that night in May 2017, the pain will never fully diminish.

“I know that no sentence will ever make amends for their loss, nor the suffering of the more than 1,000 people injured – many seriously or left with deep psychological wounds – who continue to live with the effect of this cowardly attack.

“I can only hope it brings some small measure of comfort to them that Abedi will spend the vast majority of the rest of his life behind bars – where he belongs.

“The division and hatred he sought to foster was, amidst the pain, met by strength and unity – by the courage of the victims’ families, the bravery of the survivors and the kindness and generosity of Greater Manchester as a whole.

“As we move forward from today I will choose to remember that enduring spirit – of a city galvanised against hatred that will never forget, nor fail to support those who continue to be affected.”

Deputy Mayor Bev Hughes, said: “Today, and every day, our thoughts are with those lost and their loved ones, those who were injured and everyone affected by the events of 22 May 2017.

“I would like to pay tribute to the dedicated officers and staff of Greater Manchester Police whose painstaking forensic investigations secured Abedi’s conviction and to the many other people who also worked tirelessly to secure his extradition and bring him back to face justice.

“While it is disappointing that Abedi couldn’t be given full life sentences due to his age at the time of the attack, I’m pleased the judge in this case has handed him the most severe penalty possible. Hashem Abedi has shown no remorse for his actions and the families of the victims were forced to endure a long and painful trial. He was not even in court to receive his sentence."

Figen Murray, mother of 29-year-old Martyn Hett, described how she is now unable to go to bed until after 10.31pm, the time the bomb went off.

She said: "I still cannot reconcile that I was fast asleep while my son lay dead on the floor, and I am ashamed about that."

"The enormity of the loss has left a massive void, Martyn was at the top of his game, he had wonderful friendships and he was due to travel."

Mr Hett's father Paul Hett said the family would "never get over" his death.

He said: "Few of us can face going near to the arena or Victoria station.

"Every subsequent act of terrorism brings fresh anxiety.

"We are living in constant fear that something like this can happen again - that knock on the door."