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Life sentence for jogger's killer Life sentence for jogger's killer
(20 minutes later)
A loner who murdered a Harrods shop worker before burying her body in a shallow grave has been jailed for life.A loner who murdered a Harrods shop worker before burying her body in a shallow grave has been jailed for life.
The body of Egeli Rasta, 27, originally from Estonia, was found in Mitcham Common, south London, in July 2006.The body of Egeli Rasta, 27, originally from Estonia, was found in Mitcham Common, south London, in July 2006.
Garath Davies, 23, was found guilty of her murder in November and will serve a minimum 23 years. The judge said there had been a sexual motive.Garath Davies, 23, was found guilty of her murder in November and will serve a minimum 23 years. The judge said there had been a sexual motive.
He had claimed he could not remember the day she died because he had been chain smoking cannabis. He had claimed he could not remember the day she died because he had been chain-smoking cannabis.
Ms Rasta's body was found naked and Judge Richard Hawkins, sitting at the Old Bailey, said he believed the attack had "involved sexual conduct".Ms Rasta's body was found naked and Judge Richard Hawkins, sitting at the Old Bailey, said he believed the attack had "involved sexual conduct".
'Very stoned'
As Davies was led from the court, Ms Rasta's boyfriend, who was in the public gallery, shouted: "Rot in hell."As Davies was led from the court, Ms Rasta's boyfriend, who was in the public gallery, shouted: "Rot in hell."
I'm afraid I might have done it. I can't remember Garath Davies
Davies, 23, of Mitcham, south London, and originally from Llanelli, South Wales, told a trial he was "very stoned" on the day that Ms Rasta died.Davies, 23, of Mitcham, south London, and originally from Llanelli, South Wales, told a trial he was "very stoned" on the day that Ms Rasta died.
He had had denied murder and perverting the course of justice.He had had denied murder and perverting the course of justice.
The court heard that Ms Rasta, who was "fit, athletic, and quite strong", lived near Mitcham Common and would often jog and sunbathe there.The court heard that Ms Rasta, who was "fit, athletic, and quite strong", lived near Mitcham Common and would often jog and sunbathe there.
I'm afraid I might have done it. I can't remember Garath Davies
She disappeared on 4 July, a day after working a shift at the LK Bennett concession at Harrods. Her body lay undiscovered for 12 days.She disappeared on 4 July, a day after working a shift at the LK Bennett concession at Harrods. Her body lay undiscovered for 12 days.
Detectives found a kitchen knife covered in blood at the home Davies shared with his mother.Detectives found a kitchen knife covered in blood at the home Davies shared with his mother.
Police believe Ms Rasta was sunbathing in Mitcham Common
The name "Gaz" was carved into the branch of a tree near where the naked body of Miss Rasta was found after police were alerted by a dog walker.The name "Gaz" was carved into the branch of a tree near where the naked body of Miss Rasta was found after police were alerted by a dog walker.
Davies later told police: "I'm afraid I might have done it. I can't remember."Davies later told police: "I'm afraid I might have done it. I can't remember."
Mark Ellison, prosecuting, said Davies was "something of a loner" who spent much of his time on the common alone or with his black Staffordshire bull terrier Tyson.Mark Ellison, prosecuting, said Davies was "something of a loner" who spent much of his time on the common alone or with his black Staffordshire bull terrier Tyson.
Family suffering
The judge told Davies: "Egeli Rasta was using a public park at Mitcham Common for its true purpose - namely exercise and recreation. She was a young woman full of hope for the future.The judge told Davies: "Egeli Rasta was using a public park at Mitcham Common for its true purpose - namely exercise and recreation. She was a young woman full of hope for the future.
"Her mother said she wanted to become a social worker. She wanted to do that work to help others, as her mission in life."Her mother said she wanted to become a social worker. She wanted to do that work to help others, as her mission in life.
"You suddenly ended her life by murdering her and burying her body at the scene. It is plainly the loss of a precious life."You suddenly ended her life by murdering her and burying her body at the scene. It is plainly the loss of a precious life.
"Her family and friends have suffered greatly.""Her family and friends have suffered greatly."
A victim impact statement from Ms Rasta's mother read out in court said she has not yet told the victim's nine-year-old sister as she "can't bring herself to explain".A victim impact statement from Ms Rasta's mother read out in court said she has not yet told the victim's nine-year-old sister as she "can't bring herself to explain".
I would have - and more, the family would have - loved, at least, for him to tell us what really happened Dept Ch Insp Dave Garwood
Following the sentencing Dept Ch Insp Dave Garwood said the police were "very satisfied" with the decision.Following the sentencing Dept Ch Insp Dave Garwood said the police were "very satisfied" with the decision.
He added that police initially thought Ms Rasta was jogging in the common at the time of the attack but now believe she was sunbathing. He said Davis had been very vague and evasive during questioning.
"I would have - and more, the family would have - loved, at least, for him to tell us what really happened, so they could have known what happened to Egeli," he said.
"But they'll not know, because he's refused to actually accept any involvement."
Dept Ch Insp Garwood added that police initially thought Ms Rasta was jogging in the common at the time of the attack but now believe she was sunbathing.