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GRUESOME KILLING
‘Sado-masochistic’ couple who sent depraved texts before murdering woman & scattering her severed remains are jailed
One of the killers had been released from a life sentence before horror
A "SADO-masochistic" couple who sent depraved texts before they murdered a woman and scattered her remains have been jailed.
Sarah Mayhew's severed body parts were discovered in Rowdown Fields, Croydon, last year - sparking a gruesome murder probe.
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Her "limbless torso" was then pulled from the River Wandle by contractors carrying out cleaning work weeks later.
Steve Sansom, 45, and his girlfriend Gemma Watts, 49, were today jailed after pleading guilty to murder and perverting the course of justice.
Sansom was handed a rare whole life tariff - meaning he will never be released from prison.
While Watts was jailed for life with a minimum term of 30 years.
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Mrs Justice Cutts: "Her fear and suffering must have been acute as she realised why she was there and what was happening.
"She was an innocent woman lured to that flat to die in order for you could both act out your bloodthirsty and wicked fantasy."
It is a second life sentence for Sansom, who was previously convicted and jailed for murder in 1999.
The monster stabbed popular cab driver Terrence Boyle, 59, in the throat and back before escaping with just £25 on Christmas Eve 1998.
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He was released from jail in December 2019 after his case was considered by the Parole Board.
The double killer was under probation supervision at the time of Sarah's murder.
A court heard the couple's relationship was "characterised by sado-masochistic violence" that was so intense they "often referred to dying together if caught".
They would send each other "depraved" messages about their macabre desire to kill victims while "involved in sexual activity" with them.
The couple then discussed having sex while covered in their victim's blood and eating human flesh.
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On September 7, 2023, Watts messaged Sansom saying: "I am writing this of my own free will.
"Should any serious injury, or even death occur whilst I am with Steven Sansom let it be made fully understood that I enter the act of violent, dangerous sex games with Steven Samson of my own free will."
Four days later, Sansom said in a voice note: "Everything looks like meat now don't they? A plaything, something to cut, something to bleed, they all look different now."
Watts replied: "Wonder what they taste like, cooked flesh, maybe even rare so blood drips down our faces."
They also had a "kinky" sexual relationship and shared texts about bestiality, humiliation and causing hurt.
Prosecutor Tom Little KC said: "Given what was subsequently to happen to Sarah Mayhew this murderous, sexual and sadistic discussion was manifestly not an idle fantasy."
On March 8 last year, Sarah was last seen heading to Sansom's home after meeting him on a dating site years previously.
She was tragically never seen again after Sansom and Watts slaughtered her that night.
The depraved couple then used power tools to chop up Sarah's body after Sansom purchased a 300mm hacksaw, a 300mm blade and 14-litre bucket.
After cleaning up evidence of their gruesome crime, he left a chilling voice note claiming the pair had "done the world a service".
He also posted on his Facebook, which had the username "Red Rum" - murder spelt backwards - two days later.
Sansom wrote: "Best friends are those who don't say anything when you show up at their door with a dead body.
"They just grab a shovel and follow you."
Sarah's head, arms and legs were found in the park when a dog walking in the fields returned to its owner carrying a human bone.
Then, on May 21, further body parts were discovered in Mitcham.
The court heard Sarah's head had been shaved and she had bruising on her skull.
DNA tests carried out on blood traces in a bucket, in the kitchen and the lounge floor and walls at Samson's flat showed they belonged to Sarah.
Her bloodstains were also found in the bedroom and bathroom sink.
In a victim impact statement Sarah was remembered by her mum Angela as a "beautiful, pretty girl".
While her dad David thanked Sansom and Watts for pleading guilty and saving his grieving family from the ordeal of sitting through a trial of this "horrendous case".
He added: "That said whatever sentence you may receive will never compare to the pain you have caused us.
"I ask myself the same question all the time, why did you have to kill her maybe I will never know."
The Ministry of Justice has confirmed a serious further offence review is under way due to Sansom's release from jail.
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Detective Inspector Martin Thorpe earlier said: "My thoughts are with Sarah's family as they deal with this heartbreaking news.
"No family should have to lose a loved one in such tragic circumstances, and we will continue to provide our support as our investigation progresses."
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