ON the steps of the court, Heather’s sister Denise, paid tribute to everyone who had helped catch and convict Danilo Restivo.

“Over the eight long years waiting for someone to be charged with Heather’s murder, our greatest fear was that the killer would murder someone else.

“It is now obvious that Dorset Police shared that concern and we are grateful to the many officers who carefully monitored Restivo’s whereabouts and activity, hour after tedious hour to keep women and young girls in the Bournemouth area safe.”

“As new tests became available, they were used and new research flowed from the work.

“We are grateful to the many forensic scientists who have helped to solve the case, including all the backroom staff whose careful work on thousands of tests was represented by the experts who gave evidence in court.”

Speaking on behalf of the whole family, Denise praised the jurors for see through “the tissue of self serving lies from Danilo Restivo.”

But she reserved her most poignant words for her sister.

“Heather loved her children very much. She would have been horrified at the cruel and callous way Danilo Restivo designed her murder and mutilation so that her children had to find her body on return from school.

“She was kind and honest with strong ethical principles which she passed onto her two children, Terry and Caitlin. She always worked very hard at whatever she did and built up a business on word of mouth and reputation.”

She concluded: “The years since November 2002 have been difficult. But it has also been a time that has brought out the best in countless people, strangers and friends alike.

“We see ourselves as survivors not victims of Danilo Restivo and look forward to continuing our lives safe in the knowledge that this man will be kept away from the public for many years.”