Double murderer Chris Halliwell has been sentenced to a full life term for the sexually motivated murder of Becky Godden, meaning he will never be released from prison. The 52-year-old taxi driver from Swindon was already serving a life sentence for the murder of Sian O'Callaghan when a jury at Bristol Crown Court found him guilty of killing Godden.
Halliwell, who smiled at Godden's family as the verdict was read, simply said 'thank you' to the judge when told he would never be freed. High Court judge Sir John Griffith Williams described him as a 'self-centred and domineering individual' who had told a 'cock and bull story' about Godden being buried by drug dealers.
Godden, 20, a sex worker, was strangled by Halliwell in January 2003 after he had sex with her, and her body was buried in a field in Gloucestershire. Her murder only came to light after Halliwell's arrest for O'Callaghan's killing in 2011, when he led police to both burial sites.
Police have indicated they believe Halliwell may have killed other women. Detective Superintendent Sean Memory, the senior investigating officer in the Godden case, said: 'I'm very very clear that there must be other victims out there whether they are sexual offences or other women that he has taken.' Wiltshire detectives will work with other forces and the National Crime Agency to investigate further.
Godden's parents, Karen Edwards and John Godden, paid tribute to their 'little girl' in court, describing how they continued to search for her and buy her presents during the eight years before her body was found. Outside court, Godden said he still expected her to walk through the door.
