I was kidnapped by Babes in the Wood killer Russell Bishop & left for dead aged 7 – how I survived & changed my life | The Sun
A BRAVE survivor of the Babes in the Wood killer says she's finally able to find peace – after taking up gardening.
Rachel Watts, 40, was abducted and brutally attacked by evil Russell Bishop when she was just seven-years-old.
She broke her silence after 32 years, telling The Sun on Sunday in 2022 she battles with agoraphobia – a fear of the outdoors.
The mum-of-four has now revealed that pruning plants is helping her cope with the condition and boost her mental health.
She has been gifted £32,000 by well-wishers on Gofundme, which she has used to create her dream garden.
Rachel said: "I enjoy looking after my plants and watching them grow and thrive so much.
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"The progress so far is just a glimpse of how calming and happy plants can make me, then I know that my garden will bring me so much serenity and happiness once it's done, I can't wait to see it all come together."
She continued: "I have been absolutely blown away with everyone's kindness and generosity.
"I certainly don't feel like I'm alone on an island for the very first time. I can't thank you all enough for your support.
"I'm also starting to get better at owning my story and not being ashamed of it and myself, but it is very early days, and will be an ongoing journey.
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"My garden is coming along well and making great strides."
Rachel, who was left for dead at an isolated beauty spot by Bishop, says she has made a new friend while gardening.
She said: "I have made a new friend of which we share our love of plants and her kindness and generosity has allowed me to bring some of the outside inside in the way of house plants which I absolutely love!
"We are hoping that with the garden we will also be able to afford a small garden room with a toilet that I can use as access to my house and bathroom is far away, so this will help with my anxiety a lot.
"I'll also be able to sit down there even if it's raining or really hot in the shade and thus be able to enjoy the beauty of my garden even more.
"Thank you again for your ongoing support. Your generosity has been invaluable in building my garden."
Brave Rachael's evidence helped cage Bishop — but it would take 28 years for DNA advances to finally nail him for the killings in 1986 that became known as the Babes in the Wood murders.
Bishop, of Brighton, East Sussex, lured best friends Nicola and Karen to a secluded den in the city's Wild Park where he sexually assaulted and strangled them.
He had escaped justice for 32 years after murdering nine-year-olds Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway in 1986.
The monster was prosecuted for the notorious attack, but walked free from court in 1987 thanks to a catalogue of blunders.
DNA evidence finally saw him caged in 2018, but last year we revealed how he had been diagnosed with bowel cancer.
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Double killer Bishop died in January 2022 after being rushed to hospital from top security HMP Frankland, Co Durham.
In just over two weeks time it will be 37 years since the shocking crimes took place.
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