The family of a seven-year-old boy murdered 12 years ago have told how they feel cheated by the death of his killer in prison.

Tariq Rehman, convicted of murdering Jonathan Copley and his 15-year-old babysitter, Rachel Rooney, died in May while serving his double life sentence.

Now Jonathan's sisters, Louise and Elizabeth Copley, his aunt Yvonne Sugden and cousin Sarah Sugden, have told how their own "sentence is still being served".

Louise, 29, said: "I feel cheated. What you do not realise is we get up every day and for five minutes it's all right but after that it hits you and you remember all over again.

"Everyone says It's been 12 years, get over it', but it doesn't feel that long ago.

"I will probably have to live with this for another 40 years.

"He has now finished his sentence, but we are still living through ours."

Rehman, who was 46 when he died, was convicted of murdering Jonathan and Rachel, his common-law stepdaughter, in March 1997.

He had denied killing the children in Jonathan's home in Southfield Lane, Little Horton, Bradford, on February 18, 1995.

The children had their throats cut in one of the most horrific murders to happen in Bradford in recent times.

Elizabeth, now 27, discovered the scene with a friend.

She said: "Before he died there was a fear always hanging over you whether he was going to get out. With it being 12 years he could have applied to get out but he had always denied doing it and refused any rehabilitation. But we were worried that when it came up to parole he may just admit the whole thing just to get out."

Louise said every day they were confronted with reminders of what happened. She said: "It's hard to imagine, but there are so many films that we have had to walk out of. As soon as there is a violent scene it's just too much to take. We all avoid the news now - it has definitely left a lasting imprint on our lives."

Each member of the family said they were haunted by how that night could have been different. Sarah, now 21, said: "If he had come over to our house that night he would have been all right."

The family said the ordeal has ruined a lot of lives, including Jonathan's family and school friends. Louise said: "My dad has never been right since. He nearly died in hospital because of it, although he is managing it a bit better now.

"But he can't face people any more, he can't talk to people - he has no confidence at all."

She said the family have received no support for the past 12 years, but Yvonne was keen to thank Malcolm Mawson, the officer in charge of the investigation at the time. She said: "Malcolm still places a single red rose on a remembrance plaque for Jonathan and where Rachel is buried every year on the anniversary - we are very grateful for that."

Before Jonathan's mother Denise Copley died in August 2000, at the age of 40, she became a trustee and active member of the national campaign group, Mothers Against Murder And Aggression (Mamaa), alongside Rachel Rooney's grandfather, John Clarke.

In the years leading up to her death, Mrs Copley, who lived in Wibsey, campaigned for better local services, including a respite retreat for victims' families and a Life to Mean Life campaign.

Her sister Yvonne said: "Doing the work for Mamaa helped her because it had something for her to focus on and took her mind off some of the horrible things that happened. No good can really come out of what has happened but she tried to make some good come out of it."