Ripper double killer David Smith who slaughtered woman, 33, is jailed 30 years after boasting he ‘got away with it’ | The Sun

A RIPPER-style double killer who butchered a woman he slaughtered has been jailed 30 years after boasting he had "got away with it".

David Smith, 66, brutally murdered sex worker Sarah Crump, 33, in Southall, West London, in 1991.

She was later found with her breasts cut off, her chest opened and her internal organs placed on the bed.

Smith has now been jailed for life with a minimum of 27 years after being found guilty of murder at Inner London Crown Court.

Sentencing, Mr Justice Bryan said: "I must sentence you for this abhorrent murder which was, I am sure, both sexual and sadistic in nature.

"I have no doubt your pre-meditated and planned intention that night… was to kill and sexually mutilate an escort to satisfy your perverted and sadistic sexual desires."

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In a victim impact statement, Sarah's eldest sister said the family will "never come to terms with the brutal savagery of Sarah's murder".

She added: "Even after 32 years, having to listen to the details of the attack on Sarah was excruciating.

"This was always so very important to pursue, to finally see justice for Sarah."

The lorry driver – known as "Honey Monster" to colleagues due to his 6ft 3ins frame – was previously cleared of killing Sarah 30 years ago.

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After walking free, the fiend murdered and mutilated another sex worker, 21-year-old Amanda Walker, in a chilling echo of Sarah's killing.

Her decomposing body was discovered in the grounds of the Royal Horticultural Society, in 1999.

While awaiting trial for Amanda's murder, Smith boasted to a fellow lag he had already faced trial for killing Sarah but had "walked".

"He said that they got no evidence on him and that he got away with it," the prisoner said.

Twisted Smith also has previous convictions for raping a young mum in front of her children and the attempted rape of another escort just days before he killed Sarah.

During a harrowing trial, jurors were told Sarah was slaughtered as part of a twisted timeline of “escalating violent and sexual offending against women" carried out by Smith.

The monster had developed an “unhealthy and inappropriate obsession” with two women – including one with scars across her breasts and stomach.

This fixation with the scarred woman led Smith on a brutal killing spree where he mutilated his victims to look like the object of his desire.

On August 28, 1991, Sarah left her day job at Wembley Hospital before making arrangements to meet with Smith.

She called her agency at 2am to check in with them and report Smith had left her flat, which was a safety protocol.

Unfortunately for Sarah, the twisted killer was a regular user of escorts and knew the guidelines.

The call was short and no name was used, with prosecutors suggesting Sarah at this point already knew she was in danger.

William Boyce KC said it showed Smith had forced his victim to make the call to provide "evidence" he had left and cover his tracks.

Over the following days, Sarah's boyfriend reported her missing after failing to get in touch with her.

When officers arrived at her home, blood was found in the bathroom and on her dressing table.

Her “brutally mutilated” body was then discovered on her bed.

Mr Boyce said: "The killing of Sarah Crump was one element of a wider spectrum of evidence that reveals an escalating pattern of violent and sexual offending.

"That pattern includes the defendant’s conviction in 1976 for the knife-point rape of a young mother in her own home; the attempted rape of an escort on 18 August 1991, just 10 days prior to the murder of Sarah Crump, and the murder and mutilation of a sex worker in 1999."

Smith first stood trial for murdering Sarah in 1993 but was cleared after his defence counsel accused police of suppressing evidence and incompetence.

The sex worker's mum Pat Rhodes had warned Smith would go on to kill again before he slaughtered Amanda.

His prison confession caused the case to be referred to the Court of Appeal, with a fresh trial granted after double jeopardy laws changed.

In a statement read outside court, Sarah's family said: “At long last justice for our lovely Sarah. If only our Mum and Dad were here with us today to share this momentous occasion.

“After the disheartening acquittal at the Old Bailey in 1993, our Mum said that David Smith would kill again. Eight years after Sarah’s murder, he was found guilty of an even more savage murder and mutilation of a young woman and mother, which he later admitted.

“Thirty years may have passed but we still miss Sarah – she was a shining light in a murky world who wished for the best but found the worst of humanity.

“We would like to thank everyone involved in this very difficult investigation. Their determination and tenacity has ensured the correct verdict has finally been reached.

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“Our thanks extend especially to all the witnesses who came forward at great personal sacrifice.”

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