A statement released by Jayden Parkinson's family following the sentencing: 

"Finally justice has been done for our Jayden.

"First, we would like to record our enormous gratitude to the officers of Thames Valley Police, in particular members of the Major Crime Unit, whose professionalism and perseverance secured Ben Blakeley’s conviction."

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"We would also like to thank all of the prosecution’s witnesses who gave evidence, in particular three of Ben Blakeley’s former girlfriends, who showed immense courage in attending court to speak of his sick and twisted mind.

"From the day that Jayden’s life was so cruelly taken, the kindness shown to us by the people of Didcot has been immeasurable. For this, we will always be thankful from the bottom of our hearts.

"Over the months we have also found strength in the messages of support from strangers around the country and indeed worldwide.

"We will never be able to find an ounce of forgiveness for the evil that murdered Jayden and then concealed her body in such a cold, calculated and callous manner.

"For us as a family, today is not the final chapter in this tragedy. But now we can at least begin the challenge of coming to terms with the heartbreak which we all feel, and the rebuilding of our lives.

"Despite today’s sentencing of Ben Blakeley, our nightmare will never end. We can never erase from our minds the pain that was inflicted on Jayden, nor can we erase the image of Jayden’s battered and bruised body. We will never be able to celebrate birthdays, Easter or Christmas with Jayden, and we will never get to see Jayden grow up, get married and have children - this is our life sentence, it’s now time for Ben Blakeley to start his."