Judge in tears as he praises family of Becky Watts and jails her killers

Pair given terms of 33 years and 17 years

A High Court judge was in tears as he spoke of the “immense burden” suffered by the family of Becky Watts as he jailed her two killers.

Mr Justice Dingemans sentenced Nathan Matthews, 28, to a minimum of 33 years in jail for murdering his 16-yearold stepsister.

Matthews’ girlfriend, Shauna Hoare, 21, will serve 17 years imprisonment for the manslaughter of Becky.

The pair targeted Becky due to their shared dislike of her and their sexual interest in petite teenage girls.

They took tape, handcuffs and at least one stun gun to her home in Crown Hill, Bristol on February 19 and let themselves in when they knew she was alone.

Detectives say the truth about what actually happened to Becky when she was smothered to death may never be known.

The popular teenager suffered more than 40 injuries to her body as she bravely fought for life against her porn-obsessed stepbrother.

Former TA soldier Matthews, along with Hoare, dismembered Becky with an £80 circular saw in the bathroom of their squalid home on Cotton Mill Lane.

They callously laughed as they watched a parody of a Disney Frozen song, entitled Do You Want To Hide A Body, while Becky’s remains lay in their bath.

Both Matthews and Hoare were convicted of conspiracy to kidnap, perverting the course of justice, preventing Becky’s lawful burial and possessing two stun guns.

The judge was clearly emotional, with tears in his eyes, as he rushed from Bristol Crown Court, having paid tribute to Becky’s family.

He said: “The evidence proves, I am sure, that Nathan Matthews had developed a fixation with having sex with petite teenage girls, and Shauna Hoare had been persuaded to participate in this fixation.”

He added: “Finally I should like to pay public tribute to the family of Becky for the dignified way in which they have conducted themselves throughout these proceedings.

“Hearing the evidence during the trial has been difficult for anyone, but it is plain that it has been an immense burden for the family.”

Clockwise, top from left: Anjie Galsworthy, stepmother of Becky Watts and mother of Nathan Matthews, is pushed in a wheelchair by Becky’s father, Darren Galsworthy; Nathan Matthews and Shauna Hoare; Becky Watts; and a court artist’s image of Mr Justice...