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Chef gets life for model's murder | |
(40 minutes later) | |
A man who murdered teenage model Sally Anne Bowman outside her home has been sentenced to life in prison. | |
The 18-year-old's body was found next to a skip in Croydon, south London, in September 2005. | The 18-year-old's body was found next to a skip in Croydon, south London, in September 2005. |
Pub chef Mark Dixie, 37, was found guilty of her murder and told he would have to serve a minimum of 34 years. | |
During the three-week trial, Dixie denied the charge. He claimed he found Miss Bowman dead and had sex with her body after a drink and drugs binge. | During the three-week trial, Dixie denied the charge. He claimed he found Miss Bowman dead and had sex with her body after a drink and drugs binge. |
'Tortuously painful' | 'Tortuously painful' |
Miss Bowman's family cheered as the verdict was delivered by the jury foreman. | Miss Bowman's family cheered as the verdict was delivered by the jury foreman. |
Her mother, Linda, tried to console her daughters, while Miss Bowman's boyfriend Lewis Sproston wept with friends. | Her mother, Linda, tried to console her daughters, while Miss Bowman's boyfriend Lewis Sproston wept with friends. |
Dixie shook his head before being taken down to the cells. | Dixie shook his head before being taken down to the cells. |
Miss Bowman's father, Paul, said: "The last two-and-a-half years have been tortuously painful and immensely difficult and I do not think we could have got through it without the love and support that has been hugely available from family and friends." | Miss Bowman's father, Paul, said: "The last two-and-a-half years have been tortuously painful and immensely difficult and I do not think we could have got through it without the love and support that has been hugely available from family and friends." |
Sally Anne Bowman was stabbed seven times | Sally Anne Bowman was stabbed seven times |
On the day of the murder, Dixie had spent a drug and drink-filled day celebrating his 35th birthday. He went on the prowl later that night. | On the day of the murder, Dixie had spent a drug and drink-filled day celebrating his 35th birthday. He went on the prowl later that night. |
He attacked a woman motorist whose mobile phone was stolen before a taxi driver came to her aid. | He attacked a woman motorist whose mobile phone was stolen before a taxi driver came to her aid. |
Later, at about 0430 GMT, neighbours heard Miss Bowman's screams. | Later, at about 0430 GMT, neighbours heard Miss Bowman's screams. |
Dixie stabbed her repeatedly before having sex with the body. | Dixie stabbed her repeatedly before having sex with the body. |
Police said Dixie enjoyed hearing details of his crimes being re-told in court by his victims. | Police said Dixie enjoyed hearing details of his crimes being re-told in court by his victims. |
Det Supt Stuart Cundy said: "Dixie has made his victims re-live horrific ordeals. He made Sally Anne's family sit through horrific evidence." | Det Supt Stuart Cundy said: "Dixie has made his victims re-live horrific ordeals. He made Sally Anne's family sit through horrific evidence." |
At one point during the evidence Miss Bowman's mother fled the court in tears. | At one point during the evidence Miss Bowman's mother fled the court in tears. |
I am still convinced he has done something somewhere in Australia Det Supt Stuart Cundy Murder clues found in Australia | I am still convinced he has done something somewhere in Australia Det Supt Stuart Cundy Murder clues found in Australia |
Dixie had a string of previous convictions for sex offences. | Dixie had a string of previous convictions for sex offences. |
Detectives believe he may have targeted other women while living in Australia. He lived there from 1993 to 1999 working as a cook in bars and restaurants. | Detectives believe he may have targeted other women while living in Australia. He lived there from 1993 to 1999 working as a cook in bars and restaurants. |
He was deported to England from Western Australia after jumping out of a bush naked and making lewd suggestions to a woman jogger. | He was deported to England from Western Australia after jumping out of a bush naked and making lewd suggestions to a woman jogger. |
It was only after British police made inquiries following Dixie's arrest that his DNA was matched to an unsolved attempted murder and rape of a student in Perth. | It was only after British police made inquiries following Dixie's arrest that his DNA was matched to an unsolved attempted murder and rape of a student in Perth. |
Det Supt Cundy said: "I am still convinced he has done something somewhere in Australia." | Det Supt Cundy said: "I am still convinced he has done something somewhere in Australia." |
Police appealed for any victims to come forward so they can receive counselling. | Police appealed for any victims to come forward so they can receive counselling. |