Leave her grave alone

Rachel's killer Stephen Hughes, the father of her ex-boyfriend, Carl, was today beginning the first day of a life sentence after being convicted yesterday at Leeds Crown Court.

But as the 18-year-old's family began to rebuild their shattered lives at their home in Carr Bottom Road, Bankfoot, they spoke of the distress caused by thieves stealing ornaments and candles from her grave.

Rachel's sister Jane, 29, said: "The people doing this are thoughtless. It's really upsetting.

"We have put little ornaments and candles on Rachel's grave. But they keep getting stolen. We should be able to put whatever we want there. Please leave her grave alone."

Hughes, 47, of Stanley Street, Wakefield, stabbed Rachel and cut her throat in a planned attack in September last year.

He lured her to Wakefield by pretending to arrange a meeting with Carl, but took her to an isolated area near the River Calder and carried out the murder.

He repeatedly denied meeting Rachel on the night she was murdered, but was caught on CCTV film with the 18-year-old.

Mr Justice Holland yesterday branded Hughes "wicked" and told him he had betrayed Rachel's trust as he jailed him for life.

Now the family are trying to re-build their lives. "Now we know at least half of the story from the evidence in court, we feel a lot better," Jane said. "We will never forget Rachel.

"In September, exactly a year after we last saw her alive, we went to her grave and put 18 candles there. It was beautiful. They shone brightly in the night, just like Rachel. You could see the glow even as we left."

Jane said the family visited Rachel's grave during the trial and someone had left a candle burning.

She said: "We would like to thank that person, whoever it was."

The family have asked the Telegraph & Argus not to identify where Rachel is buried.

Jane said the family would also like to thank people who have supported them throughout the nine-day trial, including the Reverend John Turner, Victim Support and those who have supported them throughout.

Rachel's mother, Hilary, 48, said: "For the last 12 months we have been forced to look back. Now we are going to look forward."

Our golden girl

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