BECKY Godden's mother has spoken of the family's long fight for justice after hearing Christopher Halliwell being found guilty of her murder.

Speaking outside Bristol Crown Court, Karen Edwards, of Swindon, spoke of her "painful journey".

"Today Christopher Halliwell has been found guilty of Becky's murder,"

she said.

"We have waited over five years for this momentous day.

"It has been an extremely painful journey but today we have received the justice that has felt like an eternity coming for our beautiful little girl Becky.

"We have all sat and listened to heart-breaking evidence day after day to enable the jury to come to their decision.

"We have all sat and listened hard. Firstly I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart Steve Fulcher for bringing my little girl home.

"I will also respect him and will be indebted to him for making that moral decision as a police officer but he should have never have suffered the terrible consequences, loss of reputation and career for doing such a thing."

Mrs Edwards, who stood with husband Charlie, thanked her family, friends, MP, Crown Prosecution Service and Wiltshire Police for their support.

"A very big thank you to Sian O'Callaghan's family for their support and I am extremely sorry that they have had to live their nightmares again,"

she added.

"My message to any family out there who have waited so long for justice as we have is never give up hope."

Sian O'Callaghan's mum Elaine Pickford said: "After five years and a lot of hard work by Sean Memory (SIO), Nick Haggan (QC) and their respective teams the right conclusion has been reached today for Becky.

"The SIO's in both cases worked tirelessly with dedication and commitment, which they should both be commended for.

"Sian's suffering led to ending Christopher Halliwell's freedom making him unable to kill again.

"The complexities surrounding the cases will continue, but there will never be closure as Sian is no longer here.

"Thank you to both the Police and legal teams, along with members of the media throughout these court proceedings and their continued support."

Sian's brother Liam added: "I am pleased that Becky has finally received justice due to the faultless preparation and actions of Sean Memory SIO and his team who have driven the right conclusion.

"There have been additional difficulties placed on our family when witnessing the judicial system work out the complexities of the cases and Fulchers actions. I for one stand by Fulchers steadfast resolve to try and find my sister Sian.

"If anything the problems which have led to delays and issues prosecuting Halliwell lie mainly within the use of PACE and the guidelines associated.

"I am proud of my family for everyone's ability to stay strong and together for each other and Sian. I miss you and wish over the last few years and for years to come that we could have shared stories and enjoyed life. Love you x"

The detective whose blunder allowed double murderer Christopher Halliwell to escape justice for five years has defended his actions, insisting he "caught a serial killer".

Former Detective Superintendent Mr Fulcher branded the 52-year-old taxi driver an "evil and depraved violator of women" and said his actions stopped Halliwell murdering anyone else.

Mr Fulcher, who resigned from Wiltshire Police in 2014 months after being given a final written warning for gross misconduct, now works as a consultant in Somalia.

Four years ago a High Court judge ruled the officer had repeatedly failed to caution Halliwell as the taxi driver showed him where Sian O'Callaghan, 22, and Becky Godden, 20, were buried.

The judge ruled Halliwell's confessions inadmissible because the detective had broken Police and Criminal Evidence Act (Pace) rules.

Mr Fulcher released a statement after Halliwell was convicted of the murder of Miss Godden and criticised the guidelines for questioning suspects, saying his actions were "right and moral".

"I am very pleased that Karen Edwards has finally seen justice done for her beautiful daughter Becky, who was brutally murdered by Christopher Halliwell," he said.

"She has fought a very dignified battle for the past five and a half years to bring Halliwell to court and she should not have had to.

"I hope she finds some comfort in this verdict. I thank Karen for her resilience and determination to obtain justice for her beloved daughter.

Halliwell is an evil and depraved violator of women.

"I did all I could to find an abducted girl, Sian O'Callaghan, in an effort to save her life; the first duty of a police officer.

"I also recovered a second victim of Halliwell's murder; Becky, returning her to her loved ones after eight years of their misery.

"I caught a serial killer; preventing any further girls being murdered."