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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Life for suitcase body murderer | Life for suitcase body murderer |
| (about 3 hours 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 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. |
| They were not told that this was a second retrial, only that Bell had been tried once before. | |
| 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. | 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." | "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. | 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." | "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." |
| Miss Edmonds' mother, Helen, attended all three trials. | |
| Outside court after sentencing, she said: "Obviously we are pleased that Bell has been sentenced to 28 years, but when he gets out to start his life again, TJ will still be gone. | |
| "She will still have missed out on everything you expect from life and everything you have a right to. | |
| "Her right to live was taken away by an evil, depraved act of sexual gratification. | |
| "That's not justice. Life should mean life. Real justice should be a life for a life." | |
| Det Chief Insp Dave Withers said: "We are really pleased with the result - 28 years is a very long time. It was exactly what he deserved." |