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David Fuller: Mum of victim who necrophiliac had sex with while dead says 'justice wasn't done'

The mum of a young woman who was raped by David Fuller after she died has said the sentence handed down to him for mortuary offences is not fair or just.

Fuller was given 12 years in total for violating the bodies of at least 102 women, which will run concurrently with his two life sentences for the murder of Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce in 1987.

Azra Kemal, a law student who died after a terrible accident, was one of Fuller's many victims he violated
Azra Kemal, a law student who died after a terrible accident, was one of Fuller's many victims he violated

Warning: some of the content in this story may be distressing

Nevres Kemal, the mum of Azra Kemal, a 24-year-old law student, who died after she fell from a bridge on the A21, said the law needed to be changed, to increase sentences for necrophilia.

Speaking outside the court, she said: "Justice has been served for those families that had their children murdered and that's the most important thing. I personally don't feel three months for my daughter being vaginally penetrated, three months for my daughter being anally penetrated and three months for my daughter being orally penetrated on three occasions is fair and just.

"This is not fair and just, it's not acceptable, she was worth more than that. People that sell drugs or have Class A drugs on them have a larger sentence. It's a disgrace and I'm more than disappointed."

She added that the judge did all she could but said the "law has to change."

Ms Kemal has also expressed her concerns about the public inquiry into how these atrocities were allowed to unfold, claiming nobody has contacted her yet.

Necrophiliac and murderer David Fuller was given 12 years onto his sentence for the sexual assaults. Picture: Kent Police
Necrophiliac and murderer David Fuller was given 12 years onto his sentence for the sexual assaults. Picture: Kent Police

She added: "Our loved ones were violated while we were saying our goodbyes and trying to grieve – it’s just horrendous and there needs to be some accountability for what happened.

"I’m very concerned that the inquiry will just be a closed shop and we won’t have any input, especially as we haven’t even been contacted yet.

"We just need answers as to how Fuller was able to get away with so much for so long.”

Sallie Booth, a solicitor at Irwin Mitchell who is representing Nevres Kemal said: “The families affected by David Fuller’s crimes are simply devastated and disgusted at what has happened and his sentencing gives them little comfort. They want answers and accountability as to how these heinous crimes were able to go on undetected for so long and are worried about the direction the inquiry is taking.

“The families that we’ve spoken to have yet to be contacted by the inquiry team and are also worried about its independence as it has apparently been confirmed that it will not be a statutory inquiry. They just want to make sure that their voice is heard and that any investigation gets to the truth of what happened and who is responsible."

Nevres Kemal speaking outside court
Nevres Kemal speaking outside court

Following the sentencing MPs have called for an increase in the sentencing for the "heinous crimes of the sexual abuse of dead bodies".

A joint statement from Greg Clark MP (Tunbridge Wells), Tracey Crouch MP (Chatham & Aylesford), Nus Ghani MP (Wealden), Helen Grant MP (Maidstone & the Weald), Huw Merriman MP (Bexhill & Battle), Laura Trott MP (Sevenoaks), Tom Tugendhat MP (Tonbridge & Malling) and Helen Whately MP (Faversham & Mid Kent) said: “We are relieved that Fuller will spend the rest of his life in prison for his unspeakable crimes.

"Fuller, from his sexual depravity, brutally extinguished the lives of two young women and has devastated the lives of their families, as well as those of the dozens of women and girls whose dead bodies he violated.

"No British judge has ever before had to pass sentence on such a set of crimes and we applaud the trial judge for the words she used and the whole life sentence she has imposed.

"Although Fuller will end his life in prison, the sentence cannot relieve the grief of the families of his victims. There is now much unfinished business.

Police footage of David Fuller in custody
Police footage of David Fuller in custody

"First, to learn how Fuller was able to commit his crimes undetected for so many years; to put right the faults that allowed it; and to hold to account those responsible for them.

"Second, the maximum sentence allowed by the law of only two years’ imprisonment for each of these heinous crimes of the sexual abuse of dead bodies must be raised significantly.

"Today in the House of Lords, Baroness Noakes will move an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill to increase the maximum sentence to 10 years for each offence.

"Third, victims’ families must receive the counselling and support they need to come to terms with the shock of the news that they heard for the first time only 10 weeks ago.

"We welcome the public inquiry that will be led by Sir Jonathan Michael. It must be comprehensive, unflinching and transparent. It must give victims’ families their say and to hear from everyone whose evidence is relevant.

"We will support our constituents through the inquiry and hope that it provides a basis for all the reforms that are needed."

Murderer David Fuller at the time of his arrest, he has since been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murders of Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce
Murderer David Fuller at the time of his arrest, he has since been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murders of Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce

Kent's Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott welcomed the sentenced for Fuller.

He said: “Nothing will undo the damage that this monster has done to so many lives – to Wendy and Caroline and their families, and the relatives of those affected by his appalling abuse of trust and depraved acts in NHS mortuaries.

"A whole life sentence was the most appropriate outcome of this trial. He will never see freedom again and I commend the judge for using her full powers in this heinous case.

"Again, I pay tribute to Kent Police officers and staff who have worked so diligently on this case.

"Support services for those directly affected by his offending remain in place for those who need it.”

Kent PCC Matthew Scott welcomed David Fuller's sentence and praised Kent Police for their work
Kent PCC Matthew Scott welcomed David Fuller's sentence and praised Kent Police for their work

"Nothing will ever undo the horror and heartbreak that Fuller has caused the families of the victims. But we can and must be certain that no other family ever has to endure what they are experiencing.”

Noel McHugh, of the NCA’s major crime investigative support unit, said: “This was an utterly horrific case, Fuller's depraved offending was off the scale. The victims and their families are forever in our thoughts.

"The agency provided extensive investigative support to this case since 2007 particularly around familial DNA.

"The NCA is very proud to have helped Kent Police bring justice to the families of Wendy, Caroline and Fuller’s many other victims."

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