Soham murders: the full story

Former Soham caretaker Ian Huntley has been given two life sentences for the murders of 10-year-old schoolgirls Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells.

His former partner Maxine Carr was given three and a half years after being found guilty of conspiring with Huntley to pervert the course of justice.

The jury of seven women and five men deliberated on the verdicts for 17 hours and 32 minutes, and finally rejected 29-year-old Huntley's claim that the best friends died accidentally at his home, 5 College Close, in Soham on August 4 last year.

When sentencing Huntley, Mr Justice Moses said the killer had "showed no mercy and no regret".

Here we examine the full story of the Soham murders...

Post-trial news

The reaction

  • Parents have shown dignity, says Blair

  • Huntley was a 'timebomb', say parents

  • Blunkett orders inquiry on Huntley job

  • Carr could be out in a month

  • Carr's sentence 'is too lenient'

  • Fear it could happen again

  • Soham verdict is 'justice'

  • Town still grieves for 'two smashing girls'

  • Do not be overcome by evil...

  • Judge's tribute to murdered girls' families

  • Huntley house to be demolished

  • Parents 'won't know how girls died'

    Huntley's past

  • Huntley accused of sex attacks

  • Social workers alerted over underage sex

  • Checks failed to reveal evil past

  • Drifter obsessed with younger girls

  • Huntley's web of deceit

  • Huntley 'not mentally ill'

    Huntley and Carr

  • How fatal attraction turned to hatred
  • Carr had affair with teen lover

  • Girls 'lured' by Carr's friendship

  • Carr provided alibi for Huntley rape allegation

    Related stories

  • Journalists suspect Huntley

  • Huntley 'sick and twisted', says ex

    _____________________________________

    The trial

    Week Seven

  • December 17: Life terms for killer Huntley

  • December 17: Judge to take majority verdict

  • December 16: Soham jury sent home for night

  • December 15: Soham case adjourned overnight

    Week Six

  • December 12: Jury asks to see bath again

  • December 12: Jury retires in Soham trial

  • December 11: Carr has suffered enough, says QC

  • December 11: Did Huntley take cover-up too far, jurors are asked

  • December 11: Lies do not prove guilt, Soham judge warns

  • December 10: Huntley defence concedes manslaughter

  • December 10: Carr 'knew truth and lied'

  • December 10: Huntley 'is a convincing liar'

  • December 9: Soham trial halted for second day

  • December 8: Soham trial adjourned as juror ill

    Week Five

  • December 5: Soham trial to end month early

  • December 4: Carr breaks down in tears

  • December 3: Maxine in Soham witness box

  • December 3: Huntley ends Soham evidence

  • December 2: Jury shown pictures of Huntley's house

  • December 2: Caretaker asked about 'sexual motive'

  • December 2: I killed Jessica, admits Huntley

  • December 2: Huntley on Holly's death

  • December 2: Huntley: I believed my lies

  • December 1: 'I couldn't tell Maxine the truth'

  • December 1: I was responsible for deaths, admits Huntley

  • December 1: Huntley tells of burning bodies

  • December 1: Huntley: I panicked and froze

  • December 1: Soham prosecution case closes

    Week Four

  • November 28: Prosecution case nears end

  • November 28: Huntley admits setting fire to bodies

  • November 28: Huntley 'had nervous breakdown'

  • November 28: Maxine 'distraught' in prison

  • November 27: Maxine defended lover Huntley

  • November 26: Huntley 'charged with 1998 rape'

  • November 26: Soham pathologist dismisses bath death claim

  • November 25: 'Holly died in Huntley's bath'

  • November 25: Huntley : 'girls died in house'

  • November 25: Man tells of finding bodies

  • November 24: Rubber glove traces near ditch

  • November 24: Huntley 'cut clothes off bodies'

    Week Three

  • November 20: PC: how I found girls' shirts

  • November 20: Carr 'spoke of girls in past tense'

  • November 19: Huntley's acid bath idea

  • November 19: Huntley: 'they think I did it'

  • November 18: Huntley told friend 'They're dead'

  • November 18: Hitch-hiker gives evidence

  • November 17: Police spoke to 'tearful' Huntley

  • November 17: Carr 'was scrubbing kitchen'

    Week Two

  • November 14: Caretaker 'was very helpful'

  • November 14: Huntley 'joined Soham search'

  • November 13: Maxine 'gave the orders'

  • November 13: Huntley 'enthusiastic for job'

  • November 13: Huntley 'knew secret quiet area'

  • November 12: Teacher: girls were bright, loyal and reliable

  • November 12: Jessica's mum 'knew Huntley'

  • November 12: Holly's mum describes routine

  • November 12: Soham parents tell of panic

  • November 11: Soham jurors visit Lakenheath

  • November 10: Soham jury retraces girls' steps

    Week One

  • November 7: 'Girls were probably smothered'

  • November 7: Bodies 'set on fire in ditch'

  • November 7: Girls' tops 'cut from bodies'

  • November 6: Jury shown remains of Manchester Utd tops

  • November 6: Carr 'made up tissue of lies'

  • November 6: Blunders that pointed finger of suspicion at Huntley

  • November 6: Huntley 'sanitised his car'

  • November 6: Huntley's home 'smelt lemony'

  • November 6: 'I'll be fitted up', claims Huntley

  • November 5: 'Girls died at Huntley's house'

  • November 5: Girls 'fell into Huntley's hands'

  • November 5: Crucial phone evidence in case

  • November 5: Pictures provide timeline

  • November 4: Charges read to Huntley and Carr

  • November 4: Don't be swayed by emotion: judge instructs

  • November 4: The jury is selected

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