It was with obvious relief that the families of Sian Sanchez and Howard Blake greeted the conviction of James Cox for their murders.

While all three were homeless and squatting at Redbridge Cottage, Mrs Sanchez and Mr Blake's murders were no less significant than any other.

You only have to read the history of Mrs Sanchez to see what a difficult life she led.

Described as bubbly and free-willed by her family, the Oxford native was married and working in nursing homes before suffering an unexplained brain aneurysm at the age of 21 in the United States.

She survived, but it affected her mental age and she never fully recovered.

She lived rough for a time and lost her eight children before being deported to Britain.

She continued to live rough here and her life was ended in a horrific way, as we now know.

It is a terrible story, but at least with yesterday's conviction her family can have some comfort that her killer has been caught and is facing a deserved life sentence.

The judge should show him no mercy.