Adam Lucas Williamson's attempt to appeal the severity of the sentence was thrown out in the Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court in Melbourne on Thursday.

The 40-year-old's jail sentence, imposed in April 2018, was three years more than his co-accused Jonathan Jeffrey Cooper, who stabbed Mr Handford 13 times and had a prior conviction for aggravated burglary.

But one of the appeal judges said there were other factors which concluded the differential in the sentences imposed was reasonably open to the sentencing judge, Justice Jane Dixon.

Mr Handford's family told The Courier following the dismissal they were relieved of the court's conclusion.

"To us a lot of things said by the judge reflects what we felt in that Williamson was ultimately responsible," said Leah Handford, Mr Handford's granddaughter.

"All we wanted was for him to be held accountable for his actions."

Ms Handford said it was the best her family could have hoped for under the circumstances.

"There is relief he didn't get less, though it's not considered a victory as no sentence could ever have been adequate," she said.

"The formalities have closed and now we are left to find a way to move on, grieve and heal.

"We feel that the sentencing remarks reflect where the real culpability lies - with Williamson, a thief, a liar and a murderer.

"Now we have to find a way to move on, to hopefully allow Pop to rest."

Ms Handford said now the murder case was unlikely to return to court again, the family would try and fill a space that had been occupying them for the past three-and-a-half years.

"It's surreal. I'm not sure how I am feeling yet," she said.

Ms Handford believed a significant legal precedent had been set after Williamson's appeal for a shorter sentence was dismissed.

"It's important for the community to know what the result is," she said.

"We know this case will continue to ensure more harsh penalties are in place."

Williamson did not appear in court for the judgement on Thursday, which was held following a hearing before three judges in Melbourne on June 14.

In the judgement, Justice Simon Whelan outlined six factors which led to the dismissal of Williamson's appeal.

They included Cooper's co-operation with the authorities and his guilty plea, which was significant in Williamson's role.

"Williamson maintained various false positions throughout the investigation and the legal proceedings," the judgement states.

The sentencing judge's findings that Williamson's 'true remorse' was 'not prominent' and 'certainly less advanced than in the case of Cooper' were unchallenged in the appeal.

Justice Whelan states while Cooper's personal circumstances were mitigating, Williamson's were not, and Williamson was 10 years older than his co-accused.

The judgement states Williamson was the instigator behind the fatal burglary at Mr Hanford's home in September 2015.

He knew the 89-year-old Mr Handford, he had a grudge against him and he believed he kept large amounts of cash.

"One of the ways he persuaded Cooper to join him was by falsely telling Cooper that the deceased was a paedophile," the judgement states.

Ms Handford said the family had attended lots of court hearings since their pop tragically died and thanked all those who had been involved.

"We have overwhelming gratitude for the people involved in the case; the police, the prosecutors. They have gone above and beyond," she said.

We would like to thank the local police and the homicide squad for their enduring support, commitment to bringing the offenders to justice as well as the tireless efforts of the prosecutors who saw this case through.

"We would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to the community for rallying behind us when called upon."

Cooper and Williamson pleaded guilty to murdering Mr Handford.