Musician guilty of teacher's murder

Coutts, who was obsessed with violent porn websites, was found guilty of murder at the Old Bailey following a retrial. He was first convicted in 2004 and jailed for life but appeal judges ordered a retrial.

Frail Liz Longhurst, 76, had been forced again to sit through allegations by Coutts that she died during a sex game.

But the jury again rejected Coutts's claims and backed the prosecution case that he murdered Miss Longhurst, 31, for sexual gratification and as part of his fascination with dead bodies.

Mrs Longhurst led a successful campaign to outlaw the viewing of violent and extreme pornography on the internet after her daughter's death.

She said outside court: "I am very glad that this second trial has now produced a successful conclusion but feel the very long delays between each stage leading to the retrial have taken a considerable toll on the whole family.

"I trust that we will now be able to resume our lives, safe in the knowledge that Jane's reputation is unsullied and we can remember her as the lovely person she was - gifted, caring and bringing happiness to all."

Her daughter, Sue Barnett, said the three-week second trial had been a waste of taxpayers' money. "We knew he was guilty," she said.

Detective Inspector Chris Standard said: "Graham Coutts is a ruthless killer who is very dangerous to women. This re-conviction should signal the end of Graham Coutts's mission to escape justice and also put an end to the misery and distress he has continued to heap upon Jane's family and loved ones."

Musician Coutts, 39, of Hove, East Sussex, had denied murdering Miss Longhurst, of nearby Brighton, in March 2003. He was remanded in custody and faces a life sentence.