Christopher Halliwell, 48, admitted killing Miss O'Callaghan during a hearing at Bristol Crown Court and was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 25 years.

Halliwell, of Swindon, was also accused of murdering Rebecca Godden but that charge was withdrawn following a ruling by a High Court judge –even though he confessed to the killing and led police to her body. Mrs Justice Cox ruled the confessions the father-of-three made to killing both women during a three-hour period on the day of his arrest were inadmissible because Detective Superintendent Steve Fulcher breached Halliwell's rights by failing to caution him and denying him a solicitor.