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Levi Bellfield: Milly Dowler family paid 'too high a price' Levi Bellfield: Milly Dowler family paid 'too high a price'
(40 minutes later)
The family of murdered 13-year-old Milly Dowler have said they paid "too high a price" for the conviction of Levi Bellfield.The family of murdered 13-year-old Milly Dowler have said they paid "too high a price" for the conviction of Levi Bellfield.
Bellfield was given a whole-life tariff for murdering Milly in Surrey in 2002.Bellfield was given a whole-life tariff for murdering Milly in Surrey in 2002.
Her father Bob Dowler said the trial had been a "mentally scarring process" and the justice system was loaded unfairly in favour of the criminal.Her father Bob Dowler said the trial had been a "mentally scarring process" and the justice system was loaded unfairly in favour of the criminal.
Milly's mother, Sally, said their daughter had been defamed in court as unhappy and depressed.Milly's mother, Sally, said their daughter had been defamed in court as unhappy and depressed.
She said the trial had been a "truly awful experience" but "at last the man responsible for the cruel murder of our darling daughter" had been brought to justice.She said the trial had been a "truly awful experience" but "at last the man responsible for the cruel murder of our darling daughter" had been brought to justice.
'Pain and grief''Pain and grief'
Bellfield had also faced a charge of attempting to abduct Rachel Cowles, who is now 21, but the jury was discharged and there will be no retrial.
Defence lawyers cited an "avalanche of adverse publicity" following his conviction for murdering Milly Dowler on Thursday.
Speaking outside court Ms Cowles said she was "hurt and angry" by what she called media coverage which had "robbed her of justice".
Mrs Dowler said Milly was a "happy, vivacious and fun-loving girl" rather than the depressed girl she was described as by Bellfield's defence team.Mrs Dowler said Milly was a "happy, vivacious and fun-loving girl" rather than the depressed girl she was described as by Bellfield's defence team.
She added: "To actually see the man in court - a man capable of such a vile and inhuman crime has been grotesque and distressing for us.She added: "To actually see the man in court - a man capable of such a vile and inhuman crime has been grotesque and distressing for us.
"The length the system goes to protect his human rights seems so unfair compared to what we, as a family, have had to endure."The length the system goes to protect his human rights seems so unfair compared to what we, as a family, have had to endure.
"I hope whilst he is in prison he is treated with the same brutality he dealt out to his victims and that his life is a living hell.""I hope whilst he is in prison he is treated with the same brutality he dealt out to his victims and that his life is a living hell."
Mrs Dowler also said the "pain and grief" of Milly's murder would "never go away".Mrs Dowler also said the "pain and grief" of Milly's murder would "never go away".
She added: "We have just had to learn to live alongside it.She added: "We have just had to learn to live alongside it.
"A day has not passed when we did not think of her and the life she might have led.""A day has not passed when we did not think of her and the life she might have led."
'Cruel and inhuman'
Mr Dowler said the trial had been a "truly horrifying ordeal for the family".Mr Dowler said the trial had been a "truly horrifying ordeal for the family".
He said: "We have had to relive all the emotions and thoughts of nine years ago when Milly first went missing and was then found murdered.He said: "We have had to relive all the emotions and thoughts of nine years ago when Milly first went missing and was then found murdered.
"During our questioning my wife and I both felt as though we were on trial."During our questioning my wife and I both felt as though we were on trial.
"The questioning of my wife was particularly cruel and inhuman, resulting in her collapsing after leaving the stand."The questioning of my wife was particularly cruel and inhuman, resulting in her collapsing after leaving the stand.
"We despair of a justice system which is so loaded in favour of the perpetrator of the crime.""We despair of a justice system which is so loaded in favour of the perpetrator of the crime."
Bellfield had also faced a charge of attempting to abduct Rachel Cowles, who is now 21, but the jury was discharged and there will be no retrial. Milly's sister, Gemma Dowler said: "I can honestly say that the day my mother and father were questioned by the defence QC Mr Samuels was the worst day of my life.
Defence lawyers cited an "avalanche of adverse publicity" following his conviction for murdering Milly Dowler on Thursday. "It is hard to believe but it was worse than when I heard the news that the remains were that of my sister Milly.
Speaking outside court Ms Cowles said she was "hurt and angry" by what she called media coverage which had "robbed her of justice". "The way my parents were questioned can only be described as mental torture. Have they not suffered enough?"
She added: "The way they can portray my lovely sister as a depressed teenager has shocked me terribly. The worst part being that she isn't here to defend herself.
"To have to listen to that was emotionally scarring. It feels like we are the criminals and our family have been on trial."
Roger Coe Salazar, of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in the South East, said: "There is no doubt that this experience has been extremely distressing for the Dowler family and it is impossible not to be moved and disturbed by the sentiments they have expressed today.
"I and my staff find the courage that they have displayed over such a long period of time, and most recently during the trial, most humbling.
He added: "During the course of Sally Dowler's cross examination the prosecution did object to questioning by the defence wherever we legitimately could.
"After witnessing the distress the experience caused Mrs Dowler we decided not to call Milly's sister, Gemma, to give evidence."
Milly's remains were found in Yateley Heath Wood, Hampshire, six months after she was last seen.Milly's remains were found in Yateley Heath Wood, Hampshire, six months after she was last seen.