To see the video click here

Bouncer Levi Bellfield has been jailed for life today after being found guilty of murdering two lone women he stalked at bus stops.

Bellfield, 39, was convicted of murdering students Amelie Delagrange, 22, and Marsha McDonnell, 19, and of the attempted murder of schoolgirl Kate Sheedy, then 18.

However, the former wheel clamper refused to face the court to hear his sentence because of the "bad publicity" he had received.

His barrister William Boyce QC told trial judge Mrs Anne Justice Rafferty: "Overnight there has been what some consider to be a quite extraordinary explosion of bad publicity.

"There has been a welter of accusations of other crimes by him."

He added: "He chooses not to return."

Milly suspect

After the verdicts at the Old Bailey yesterday, it was revealed that he is also suspected of kidnapping and killing schoolgirl Milly Dowler.

Sentencing Bellfield to three life sentences, Mrs Justice Rafferty said: "You have reduced three families to unimagined grief.

"The statements I have read and the words the court heard this morning were hard for many a professional to bear.

"Marsha McDonnell was yards from her home in a quiet residential area of Hampton. Aged 19, she was beaten to the head and left to die on the pavement.

"Kate Sheedy lives due to her own courage and resource. The girl who you left lying on the road after you had driven and reversed over her. She said her goodbyes to her parents as she waited to die.

"Amelie Delagrange came to the UK expecting to be safe. She was beaten to the head and left to die on Twickenham Green during an August night.

"Three young women upon whom you preyed in the dark as they stood or walked near to or from buses.

"What dreadful feelings went through your head as you attacked and, in two cases snuffed out a young life, is beyond understanding."

DCI Colin Sutton, the officer who led the investigating team, was called to witness stand by the Judge after sentencing and was told "the road had sometimes been rocky, but this case had depended on hours and hours of painstaking work, had relied on dedication and patience, and I commend you and your team".

Kate Sheedy and the families of Marsha McDonnell and Amelie Delagrange were in court during the trial which lasted three-and-a-half months.

Bellfield is said to have winked, made gestures and mouthed obscenities at the families during proceedings.

To see the video click here

  • For full trial coverage click here