A SICK murderer who was jailed for at least 27 years after being found guilty of killing his girlfriend has been slammed for launching an appeal against his conviction - with the victim's family urging judges to end their nightmare.
Alan Edwards has never revealed the location of mum-of-five Susan Waring’s body, despite a jury at Preston Crown Court finding him guilty of killing her and a string of other offences against women back in April.
And now Edwards has launched an appeal against his conviction – leaving Ms Waring’s grieving family devastated.
Speaking with the Lancashire Telegraph, Peter Waring, Susan’s brother, said he still has nightmares about Mr Edwards attacking his sister in a sinister blood-stained mask, as described in court.
He said: “I hope the Judges at the Court of Appeal see this for what it really is – an attempt to stay in control of not only his victim, but the control of my family.
“He has destroyed lives since the 90s and this has to end. My family are trying to piece our lives back together after that horrendous investigation and trial but now we feel like this is never going to end.
“I pray that these judges see what a vile man this really is and deny the appeal.”
At the end of the court proceedings earlier this year, Susan’s family urged Edwards, of Blackburn Road, Darwen, to reveal the whereabouts of her body so the family could grieve her death properly.
As Edwards looked on emotionless from the dock, Mr Waring said: “One final request and that is for Alan Edwards to tell us where our beloved Susan is so we can lay her to rest and finally have some closure.”
Edwards preyed on Miss Waring, who was blind in one eye, suffered poor health and had learning difficulties, during their brief two-month relationship.
He was constantly violent and abusive towards her as a search of his flat in Darwen revealed evidence of blood throughout the premises which the defendant had redecorated in a bid to cover his tracks.
Among the items recovered was a rubber Halloween skull mask which had more than 100 blood spots and traces of Miss Waring’s DNA, with analysis indicating he wore it as he struck her at close proximity.
Mr Waring added: “The constant nightmares I am having of my sister being assaulted by this thug in that mask are now going away and hearing him trying to get away with the unnecessary murder of my sister will not help.”
A CPS spokesman said: “I can confirm that Mr Edwards has lodged an application for leave to appeal his convictions, and the CPS has submitted our response objecting to the grounds of appeal.”
During the trial, Edwards was also found guilty of offences against four other women, including causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and making threats to kill.
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