The sister of murdered five-year-old April Jones has called for her killer to suffer, backing chemical castration for sex offenders. Speaking after Mark Bridger was convicted of abduction, murder, and perverting the course of justice, she said: 'I want him to suffer like April did.'
Bridger, 47, was found guilty at Mold Crown Court of abducting and murdering April, who vanished while playing near her home in Machynlleth, mid-Wales, in October 2012. Her body has never been found. The court heard that Bridger, an experienced slaughterman, had a sexual interest in children and had collected images of April's half-sisters.
Prosecutor Elwen Evans QC said Bridger killed April for 'sexual gratification' and then disposed of her body. Traces of April's blood and burnt bone fragments were found at his cottage, along with a burned boning knife. Bridger claimed he accidentally hit April with his Land Rover and could not remember what happened afterwards, but the jury rejected his account.
April's sister said she supports chemical castration for offenders like Bridger, stating: 'They should have it done to them so they know what it feels like.' She added that the family will never recover from the loss of April, who had a mild form of cerebral palsy but was an active and happy child.
Bridger was sentenced to life imprisonment with a whole-life order, meaning he will never be released. The judge described his crimes as 'pure evil' and said he had shown no remorse.
