The families of women who were sexually abused in death have described their disgust at the “sick and twisted” acts of double killer David Fuller.

Fuller, 68, is already serving a whole life sentence for murdering Wendy Knell, 25, and Caroline Pierce, 20, in 1987 and has been sentenced for the sexual abuse of the corpses of 78 women and girls at hospital mortuaries in Tunbridge Wells.

He appeared at the Old Bailey on Wednesday to be sentenced for a second tranche of offences against another 23 dead women, which saw him receive a further four years in prison.

Opening the case, Michael Bisgrove, prosecuting, said Fuller had abused the bodies of at least 101 girls and women, although ten of the victims had not been identified and were unlikely ever to be.

Mr Bisgrove said: “The indictment reflects the course of conduct by Mr Fuller during his employment at two mortuaries during which he systematically and repeatedly abused the bodies of dead women and girls. He abused at least 101 women.”

The daughter of one of the victims described in court how she felt when she found out about the abuse of her mother, saying: “The pain and emotional upset seared through my body like a knife.

“He took advantage of her helplessness in death where we were unable to protect her.”

She described Fuller as a “monster”.

Addressing the defendant in the dock, she said: “David, I want you to know how much damage you have caused, how your sick and twist behaviour has damaged families like mine.

“I’m pleased you are now being held accountable for what you did only seven hours after she died.”

She said her mother did not want to die in hospital and the family declined a post-mortem examination because she had been subjected to enough “prodding and poking” during her illness.

A father said he could not put into words how “disturbing” it was to find out what happened to his daughter at Fuller’s hands.

The brother of another victim said: “He has caused complete and utter devastation.

“David Fuller has tainted every single memory I have of my sister. All I can think of is what he did to my sister when she was supposed to be resting.”

Speaking outside court, Detective Superintendent Ivan Beasley said: “Our absolute and unequivocal priority from day one has been ensuring justice for every single victim violated by Fuller’s systematic and unimaginably depraved offending.

“Today’s sentencing will mean little to this abhorrent individual, who throughout our investigation has demonstrated no remorse and only a capacity for self pity.

“His crimes have led to immeasurable suffering and inconceivable trauma to the lives of hundreds of daughters, sons, parents and other loved ones of all those he abused.”

The officer said no stone had been left unturned in investigating Fuller’s crimes spanning more than 40 years, adding there was no evidence he had committed further mortuary offences.