Roy Whiting has been found guilty of the abduction and murder of eight-year-old Sarah Payne. The 42-year-old labourer has been sentenced to life in prison, with a recommendation that he never be released.
Sentencing Roy Whiting, Mr Justice Richard Curtis said: "You are indeed an evil man. You are in no way mentally unwell. I have seen you for a month and in my view you are a glib and cunning liar".
The jury of nine men and three women deliberated for nine hours before reaching a unanimous verdict. Cheers of delight were heard in Lewes Crown Court as the verdicts were read out.
After the verdicts were declared, the court heard details of Roy Whiting's 1995 conviction and for the abduction and indecent assault of a nine year old girl. He had been sentenced to four years in jail for that attack in June 1995. The jury was unaware of the previous conviction while deliberating on the Payne case.
Speaking on the steps of Lewes Crown Court, Sarah's mother, Sara said: "Justice has been done. Sarah can rest in peace. But let's make sure that this stops happening time and time again". When asked if she had a message for her daughter's killer, she replied: "I have no message for that man, ever".
Eight-year-old Sarah disappeared from a field near her grandparent's home in Littlehampton on 1 July 2000. Her partially buried body was found about 15 miles away 16 days later.
