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Modern 'Ripper' jailed for life Modern 'Ripper' jailed for life
(31 minutes later)
A serial sex attacker convicted of killing two mothers whose bodies have never been found, has been jailed for life at the Old Bailey.A serial sex attacker convicted of killing two mothers whose bodies have never been found, has been jailed for life at the Old Bailey.
Derek Brown, 47, denied murdering Xiao Mei Guo, 29, and Bonnie Barrett, 24, after taking them back to his flat in Rotherhithe, east London.Derek Brown, 47, denied murdering Xiao Mei Guo, 29, and Bonnie Barrett, 24, after taking them back to his flat in Rotherhithe, east London.
He picked up his victims in the Whitechapel area, famously stalked by Jack the Ripper in the 1880s.He picked up his victims in the Whitechapel area, famously stalked by Jack the Ripper in the 1880s.
Brown was ordered to serve a minimum of 30 years. Brown, who showed "no remorse", was ordered to serve a minimum of 30 years.
Police believe Brown may have tried to emulate Jack the Ripper.Police believe Brown may have tried to emulate Jack the Ripper.
'Soft targets' You disposed of their bodies with frightening efficiency so that not a trace of either woman has been found Judge Martin Stephens
Officers think he could have been embarking on a killing spree. The court heard he sought notoriety and had expressed a desire to be "famous", according to a friend. Sentencing Brown Judge Martin Stephens said: "You have shown not a sliver of remorse.
"You murdered two women. Both were vulnerable, plying their trade on the streets, in each case falling into your hands precisely because of their availability and their lack of protection.
"What you did to each of those women before you killed them we can only speculate about. How you killed them we cannot know.
"What we do know is you disposed of their bodies with frightening efficiency so that not a trace of either woman has been found."
'Devious and cowardly'
The judge added there was clear "circumstantial evidence" which proves Brown dismembered and disposed of the bodies.
"The only person who could prove this not to be true would be you, if you ever chose to tell the police where their bodies or remains could be found.
"The anguish of both victims' families is exacerbated, made much worse by their inability to lay each lady to rest."
Brown said he paid Bonnie Barrett and Xiao Mei Guo for sex
The judge said he had considered handing Brown for a whole life term as there was "degree of pre-meditation" in the murders, but the requirements for this were not available in the case.
Brown stopped giving evidence in the trial in the middle of his cross-examination by the prosecution, which the judge said was a "devious and cowardly course".
Officers think Brown could have been embarking on a killing spree. The court heard he sought notoriety and had expressed a desire to be "famous", according to a friend.
Following his conviction on Friday officers launched a nationwide review of unsolved cases to see whether Brown had links to any of them.Following his conviction on Friday officers launched a nationwide review of unsolved cases to see whether Brown had links to any of them.
During the trial the court heard Brown was a convicted rapist and a serial sex attacker who was a suspect in another murder case outside London.During the trial the court heard Brown was a convicted rapist and a serial sex attacker who was a suspect in another murder case outside London.
He was also identified by victims in five other rapes over the past two decades.He was also identified by victims in five other rapes over the past two decades.
The bodies of Bonnie Barrett and Xiao Mei Guo have never been found 'Soft targets'
Brown admitted paying Mrs Guo, a DVD seller and illegal Chinese immigrant, and Miss Barrett, who was a prostitute and crack cocaine addict, for sex before their disappearance last year.Brown admitted paying Mrs Guo, a DVD seller and illegal Chinese immigrant, and Miss Barrett, who was a prostitute and crack cocaine addict, for sex before their disappearance last year.
Mrs Guo was last seen in August 2007 selling DVDs in Whitechapel market. CCTV pictures showed her with Mr Brown by Whitechapel Tube station.Mrs Guo was last seen in August 2007 selling DVDs in Whitechapel market. CCTV pictures showed her with Mr Brown by Whitechapel Tube station.
Miss Barrett disappeared from the same area on 18 September 2007.Miss Barrett disappeared from the same area on 18 September 2007.
Bodies of Mrs Guo and Miss Barrett have never been found, despite 800 hours of police searches and a trawl of the Thames by divers. The bodies of Mrs Guo and Miss Barrett have never been found, despite 800 hours of police searches and a trawl of the Thames by divers.
Prosecution said he targeted the vulnerable as they were "soft targets" and would not be missed. The prosecution said he targeted the women as they were "soft targets" and would not be missed.
Brown stopped giving evidence in the trial in the middle of the cross-examination by the prosecution, last month. In impact statements the families of both victims appealed to Brown to reveal the location of the bodies.