Babes in the Wood Brighton: Michelle Hadaway speaks in court

Michelle Hadaway spoke about the impact of Jennifer Johnson’s lies to protect her then partner Russell Bishop in Brighton.

Bishop was acquitted at Lewes Crown Court of the murders of nine-year-olds Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway in 1987.

It left Mrs Hadaway and family members facing nearly three decades to get justice for the Moulsecoomb girls.

Jennifer Johnson was found guilty of perjury and perverting the course of justice over her account at the 1987 trial, lying about Bishop’s ownership of a blue Pinto sweatshirt which linked him to the murders.

Bishop was eventually brought to justice in 2018 after a trial heard of new DNA evidence which clearly showed he was the monster responsible.

The scene at Wild Park, Brighton in October 1986. PA/PA Wire

Speaking at the sentencing hearing this week for Johnson, who was jailed for six years, Mrs Hadaway said Johnson’s lies “left me completely numb to the core”.

She added: "I knew from that moment onwards that there was a good chance that this evil man could be acquitted.

"The pain I have had to endure over the loss of my beautiful daughter Karen over the last 30 years has been unbearable.

The families of Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway, including mum Michelle Hadaway (seated) spoke out after Jennifer Johnson was found guilty of perjury and perverting the course of justice

"To see the offender walk free from court because of her lies has increased the pain and loss of the last three decades."

She said her life had been dominated by "a sense of terrible injustice".

"There has never been a moment when that sense of injustice has ever left and I fought with everything I possibly could."

Meanwhile, speaking to The Argus, Nicola Fellows’ uncle Ian Heffron said a heavy burden had been borne by both families.

He said: “Today Johnson will be rightly sentenced for her vile and callous lies. I genuinely hope and pray that Johnson is properly punished, what she did was truly unforgivable.

Jennifer Johnson today

“I am an uncle of Nicola Fellows and have on many occasions commented on the terrible loss of Nicky and Karen within The Argus.

Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway were murdered

“Bishop has left a huge void in our families, he was assisted by Johnson who lied through her teeth and also made money from it.

“Bishop then kidnapped another innocent child, thank god she survived, her life was ruined that day by a vile predator paedophile, no other description comes close.

Russell Bishop in the 1980s. PA/PA Wire

“My family never gave up. We would not allow their crimes to go unpunished.

“Today’s sentencing brings further closure for us and the hope that our little angels can rest in peace.

“Sadly along the way members of both the girls’ families have passed on and never saw the eventual justice achieved for the girls, we pray they are with the girls comforting them.

“Not a day goes by without thinking of them and wondering what if.

“Can I, on behalf of the families, pass on our grateful thanks for the undying help and support received from so many people within the Brighton area.

“Thank you.”

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