JENNIFER Cardy's parents called for the death penalty to be imposed on serial killers such as Robert Black as their 30-year wait for justice finally came to an end.

Speaking after the verdict at Armagh Crown Court, Andy and Patricia Cardy said the family had prayed for Black but believed he deserved to die for what he had done.

Flanked by their sons Mark and Philip, Mr Cardy said he thought the paedophile -- who is already serving life sentences for the murders of three girls in the 1980s -- should pay the ultimate price for his crimes.

“I would have to say that I would still say that somebody who commits murders like this, I believe their lives should be taken. I believe they should be put to death. That’s my belief,” he said.

“I don’t mean that in a vengeful way, I mean that in a just and righteous way.”

Mr Cardy said the trial had been a terrible ordeal but he had remained confident that justice would always be done and the family’s strong Christian faith had given them strength throughout the six weeks in court.

“For the last six weeks we have had to endure and listen to how Robert Black kidnapped and sexually abused and murdered our daughter and our children’s sister and it has been absolutely horrendous,” he said.

“We heard things that, in all honesty, weren’t even in our imagination and for 30 years we, as a family, really have never tried to understand or try to think about what in the last hours of her life she went through.

“And all of a sudden we were confronted with the awfulness of those last few hours and what she would have had to suffer and that has been truly awful for each and every one of us.”

Mr Cardy said he did not hate Black, just pitied him.

“We prayed for Robert Black, that Robert Black would some day know Jesus as his saviour, just as Jennifer knew Jesus as her saviour, and the wonderful thing is that some day we will be reunited with Jennifer in glory and that is just a wonderful thing to know,” he said.

“We pity Robert Black and the awful life he has led.

“We have been able to live without bitterness and vengeance in our lives. When we lost Jennifer, life was never the same, but life had to go on and we had to live life.

“Robert Black stole the life of our daughter, Jennifer, but Robert Black didn’t steal the lives of me and my family -- we’ve lived a happy, prosperous life, but we miss Jennifer each and every day.”

He added: “We don’t have any hate for Robert Black. I fear for him because Robert Black’s end, if he doesn’t come to repentance, will be an eternity with Satan in Hell.

“That’s just the most awful thing, the awfullest thought to think that somebody has given their life over to sexual abuse and all that he was up to.”

Jennifer’s mother said that she missed her daughter every single day.

Mrs Cardy said: “Jennifer was the happiest of all little girls that I have known. She was so innocent, she was just so happy and she loved her family and Jennifer had a lovely thoughtfulness beyond her nine years.

“Andrew and I will not only never forget her but, yes, she is ever, ever remembered and always missed.

“And, yes, Robert Black has done this awful deed but I join with my lovely husband and say that he will not destroy us.

“I will say this: that murder and death and trial and trauma are no match for the grace of God.”

Mrs Cardy said the verdict had not brought closure.

“I will be really honest -- I don’t think we will ever have closure because our daughter has gone, but we have the relief of knowing that the perpetrator of this gruesome, horrible crime has been brought to justice and that does give us a peace and relief.”

Mr Cardy thanked the police and both prosecution and defence counsels.

“We would not have been happy if he had been convicted without a proper defence and we believe he had the best defence that could ever have been provided for a murderer,” he said.

“So we leave the court so happy that justice has been done and Robert Black will never again be able to harm another wee girl.

“He will be in jail until he dies.”