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| Life for suitcase body murderer | Life for suitcase body murderer |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A homeless man who strangled a teenage girl and hid her body in a suitcase has been jailed for life. | A homeless man who strangled a teenage girl and hid her body in a suitcase has been jailed for life. |
| The judge branded Philip Bell, 23, "evil" and recommended that he should serve a minimum of 28 years. | The judge branded Philip Bell, 23, "evil" and recommended that he should serve a minimum of 28 years. |
| The body of 17-year-old Terry Edmonds was discovered in a suitcase underneath a car park ramp on 29 April 2006 in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. | The body of 17-year-old Terry Edmonds was discovered in a suitcase underneath a car park ramp on 29 April 2006 in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. |
| Bell was convicted of her murder at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday following two retrials. | Bell was convicted of her murder at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday following two retrials. |
| Jurors were told he sexually assaulted and killed the teenager after "luring" her to the stairwell of Morrisons car park where he slept rough. | Jurors were told he sexually assaulted and killed the teenager after "luring" her to the stairwell of Morrisons car park where he slept rough. |
| Terry Edmonds untimely death is a tragic waste of life Simon Ringrose Complex clues 'hindered conviction' | |
| Judge Andrew Patience QC said: "You are an evil man that has no conscience. As the net closed around you, you lied and lied to police. | Judge Andrew Patience QC said: "You are an evil man that has no conscience. As the net closed around you, you lied and lied to police. |
| "The impact statement from Terry Edmonds' mother was heart rending. The effect of Terry's loss has been catastrophic and devastating for her, her family and others too." | "The impact statement from Terry Edmonds' mother was heart rending. The effect of Terry's loss has been catastrophic and devastating for her, her family and others too." |
| Bell murdered Terry Edmonds during a 'lost hour'Prosecutor Simon Ringrose, said: "Terry Edmonds untimely death is a tragic waste of life. | |
| "We hope that her family and friends will be able to take some comfort from the conviction of Philip Bell and the sentence imposed by the judge." | |
| He added: "This was a difficult and complicated case involving a large number of pieces of evidence. | |
| "However, as the investigation advanced the evidence led to one man, Philip Bell. By working closely together the CPS and police were able to present a compelling case to the jury." |