Sense of fun: Marsha McDonnell's family pay tribute to the teen

Marsha McDonnell's family said their world would forever be incomplete, "like a rainbow with a colour missing."

Speaking after Levi Bellfield's conviction for the murder of his niece Marsha McDonnell, Shane McDonnell spoke about how her family's lives would never be the same again.

He said: "The pain and hurt that we carry will always be there. It is a sentence with no remission.

"Marsha's young brother and sisters have been touched by a horror that no human being should ever have to be part of.

"After nearly five months of having to endure the cowardly charade of innocence we at last see Levi Bellfield for what he is."

Shane thanked Marsha, 19, for the joy she brought in her short life and how her goodness, sense of fun, spirit and passion for life would remain with them.

He said: "We love you, you are forever in our hearts.

"We can look forward to moving on and focus on our happy memories of her life that will not be tainted with the nature of her death."

He thanked police officers for their tireless dedication in resolving the horrific crimes and taking an extremely dangerous man off the streets.

Marsha's mum Ute McDonnell, 52, spoke of the emotional roller coaster the trial had been, how it brought on flashbacks and made her miss her daughter more than ever.

She said: "It seems like yesterday. The pain will never go away, particularly for my children, it has been very very difficult."

7:56pm Monday 25th February 2008

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