Rachel's son 'has grown up in a very happy place'

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Andre Hanscombe said of his son Alex, now 19: "What I take great comfort in is that his childhood can never be taken away from him now - it's now complete and it was against the odds.

"He was the tragic tot, his life was blighted - that was the script that had been written and we've managed to turn that script around completely. He's grown up in a very happy place, the kids are all smiles and laughter and very open, and he's always been one of the gang and nobody, virtually no one, in his immediate circle knew anything about what we've been through or what happened to us."

Mr Hanscombe and his son left London in 1993 and moved first to the south of France before moving to Spain in 1996. Mr Hanscombe, 45, returned to London yesterday to witness Robert Napper's admission to killing Ms Nickell.

Mr Hanscombe told how even up until 2004 when Met officers told him they had proof Napper killed his partner, he remained convinced Colin Stagg was guilty.

But he said the delay in finding the killer had helped Alex get over what he witnessed because as an adult he was in a better position to deal with it. He added: "Mistakes by the police cost Samantha Bisset and her daughter their lives. Now we have to accept the possibility that what happened to Rachel could have been avoided as well."