Families' say thank you for Huntley conviction

The families of murdered schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman publicly thanked all those who helped bring their killer Ian Huntley to justice today.

Leslie Chapman, 52, and his wife Sharon, 44, and Kevin Wells, 40, and his wife Nicola, 36, sat side by side at a press conference in central London.

Mr Chapman said: “We would just like to say a few thank yous.”

He thanked the police, the people of Soham and family liaison officers.

The families were speaking just hours after Ian Huntley 29, was given two life sentences for the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman on August 4, last year.

Maxine Carr, 26, was given three-and-a-half years after being found guilty of one count of conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

Mr Wells told reporters: “We have many people to thank from our community, our friends and family, extended and close.

“They have all been there for us over the last 16 months.”

Mr Wells, 40, thanked the media, adding that the level of intrusion into their lives had been “minimal”.

He said: “A big thank you to all of you.

“Equally, we would also like to extend a thank you to Cambridgeshire Police.

“They have some amazing family police liaison officers who have made this particular journey a bit more bearable.”

Mr Wells also thanked the trial judge, Mr Justice Moses.

Mr Wells was asked what went through his mind when the verdicts were announced.

Mr Wells told journalists: “A great sense of relief. There was certainly no sense of euphoria.”

Talking about what actually happened to the girls, Mr Chapman said: “There’s only one man who can answer that question and whether he has the guts to answer the question publicly is down to him.”

Mr Chapman then went on to thank the jury members for bringing in the “right result”.

Mr Wells told the press conference: ``Not until that verdict was announced did we have a cessation of our fears.''

Of Huntley, Mr Chapman said: “I think it was a time bomb just ready to go off and both our girls were in the wrong place and at the wrong time. There is nothing to say any more about him.

“I hope that the next time I will have to see him will be like we saw our daughters, and it will be in a coffin.”