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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Alahna Kindred

Morgue monster David Fuller branded 'sick and twisted' as he's jailed for abusing 23 bodies

Morgue Monster David Fuller was branded "sick and twisted" by one of the victim's daughters as he was given four additional years in prison after admitting to sexually abusing the corpses of 23 women.

Fuller, 68, who is already serving a life sentence for the murders of Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce, also pleaded guilty to four charges in relation to the possession of extreme pornography between 2007 and 2020.

He had already pleaded guilty to the two murders and 44 charges relating to 78 victims in mortuaries at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust between 2008 and November 2020.

The electrician misused his position at the now-closed Kent and Sussex Hospital and the Tunbridge Wells Hospital,in Pembury to film himself abusing the corpses.

He had worked there since 1989.

The electrician misused his position at the now-closed Kent and Sussex Hospital and the Tunbridge Wells Hospital (Kent Police / SWNS)

Last month, he admitted sexually abusing an additional 23 dead women.

Victims included a nine-year-old girl, two 16-year-olds and a 100-year-old woman.

The daughter of one of the victims addressed Fuller directly this morning and said: "The pain and emotional upset seared through my body like a knife.

“He took advantage of her helplessness in death where we were unable to protect her.”

She added: “David, I want you to know how much damage you have caused, how your sick and twist behaviour has damaged families like mine.

Last month, Fuller admitted sexually abusing an additional 23 dead women. (CPS / SWNS)

“I’m pleased you are now being held accountable for what you did only seven hours after she died.”

Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb QC, sentenced him to four years, to be served concurrently.

She said: "Among those you abused were women who had lived fulfilling lives. They did not lose their dignity until you took it from them."

She also described the offences as an "astonishing breach of trust", that he had ‘no regard for the dignity of the dead", and "shown no evidence of genuine remorse".

David Fuller after being arrested and placed in custody (Kent Police / SWNS)

Detective Superintendent Ivan Beasley of Kent Police who led the investigation said after the sentencing today/yesterday (WED): "Our absolute and unequivocal priority from day one has been ensuring justice for every single victim violated by Fuller’s systematic and unimaginably depraved offending.

"Today’s sentencing will mean little to this abhorrent individual, who throughout our investigation has demonstrated no remorse and only a capacity for self-pity.

"His crimes have led to immeasurable suffering and inconceivable trauma to the lives of hundreds of daughters, sons, parents and other loved ones of all those he abused.

"This has been an unparalleled investigation for Kent Police in terms of the scale and unique challenges faced by our officers and staff. I’m immensely proud of their collective determination to ensure no stone remained unturned and that every conceivable enquiry and fragment of information connected to Fuller, stretching back more than 40 years, has been fully investigated.

Caroline Pierce, 20, was murdered by David Fuller (PA)

"There is no evidence to connect him to any further mortuary offences and I do hope that now these enquiries have finally drawn to a close that all those affected by Fuller’s crimes can take some comfort, knowing that he will spend the rest of his life in prison."

Opening the facts, prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said Fuller had abused the bodies of at least 101 girls and women, although 10 of the victims had not been identified and were unlikely ever to be.

Mr Bisgrove said: “The indictment reflects the course of conduct by Mr Fuller during his employment at two mortuaries during which he systematically and repeatedly abused the bodies of dead women and girls. He abused at least 101 women.”

Wendy Knell, 25, was murdered by David Fuller (PA)

Libby Clark from the Crown Prosecution Service said previously: "Fuller's actions were depraved, disgusting and dehumanising - on a scale that has never been encountered before in legal history.

"It was vital for us to bring these additional charges for the women we could identify, and those we sadly couldn't, to reflect his offending and bring justice for the families that we can.

"The horrors of this case will no doubt remain with everyone who has worked so tirelessly to bring the case to a close."

The Government has launched an independent inquiry into how Fuller went undetected until he was arrested for what has been dubbed the "bedsit murders" on December 3, 2020, following new analysis of decades-old DNA evidence.

Ms Knell was found dead in her Guildford Road apartment on June 23 1987, while Ms Pierce was snatched five months later on November 24 outside her home in Grosvenor Park, with her naked body discovered in a water-filled dyke at St Mary in the Marsh on December 15.

Police discovered a library of images of Fuller abusing corpses during a search of his three-bedroom semi-detached home in Heathfield, East Sussex, where he lived with his family.

A report on the hospital trust is expected to be published next year.

Last month, it was announced that more than 90 family members whose loved ones were defiled by Fuller will receive compensation of up to £25,000.

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