1:54pm Monday 25th February 2008
By Michelle Curran
Bouncer Levi Bellfield has been found guilty of murdering two lone women he stalked at bus stops.
Bellfield, 39, was convicted of killing Amelie Delagrange, 22, on Twickenham Green in August 2005 and Marsha McDonnell, 19, in Hampton in February 2004.
He has also been found guilty of the attempted murder of Kate Sheedy in Isleworth in May 2004.
Bellfield, of West Drayton, will be sentenced tomorrow.
The jury of seven women and five men took just over a week to reach their verdict after being sent out by Mrs Justice Rafferty on Monday, February 18, at 9.58am.
Bellfield being interviewed by detectives
The jury were unable to reach a verdict over the attempted murder of Irma Dragoshi in Longford and the attempted kidnap and false imprisonment of Anna-Maria Rennie in Whitton in 2001.
The Crown Prosecution Service said it would not seek a retrial on the two counts.
During the trial the prosecution said the murders were so similar that they must have been the work of one man.
Kate Sheedy and the families of Marsha McDonnell and Amelie Delagrange have been in court during the trial which lasted three-and-a-half months.
Detective Chief Inspector Colin Sutton, the officer in charge of the investigation, said: "I am extremely pleased with the verdict today. The wicked series of assaults on women and girls in south-west London ended when Levi Bellfield was arrested in 2004.
"Levi Bellfield is a predator who preyed on women in south west London over a period of time.
"He targeted his victims at random attacking those much smaller and weaker than him. He refused to face what he had done, lied repeatedly to try to save his skin and at all times treated his victims, their families and the authorities with utter contempt.
"I am pleased the jury saw through his lies and deceit and have come to the decision they have, providing justice to his victims and their families.
"It has been an absolute privilege to lead such a brilliant team of detectives. They, together with our lawyers deserve the highest praise for their professionalism."
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