A former Maidstone United footballer has been jailed for life for killing his ex-girlfriend under new double jeopardy laws.

Mario Celaire beat 19-year-old Cassandra McDermott and left her for dead in 2001 in Norbury, south London.

He was initially found not guilty of the crime at the Old Bailey.

Then, in 2007, he attacked another ex-girlfriend, Kara Hoyte, with a hammer, leaving her paralysed and unable to speak.

She was able to describe to police what happened, and said Celaire had admitted the attack on Miss McDermott to her.

New double jeopardy laws passed in 2003 allowed judges to quash the initial verdict, and put Celaire on trial again for the killing.

He admitted both the manslaughter of Miss McDermott and attempted murder of Miss Hoyte last month.

Celaire, of Sydenham Road, Sydenham, was sentenced to a minimum of 23 years in prison.