A 23-year-old former removal man found guilty of the body-in-the-suitcase murder is due to be sentenced later today.

Philip Bell was convicted by an 11-1 majority at Maidstone Crown Court. The verdict, which was delivered in just over three hours on Friday, came after three trials. Two previous juries had failed to agree on a verdict.

Bell was accused of strangling teenager Terry Edmonds with her own scarf and sexually assaulting her in a Tunbridge Wells car park stairwell, where he lived rough.

The prosecution said the victim and Bell were on a "collision course" as they approached the Morrison’s car park from the railway station within two seconds of each other.

They were both seen on CCTV at 6.23pm on April 17, 2006. There was then a "lost hour" during which time Bell killed Terry.

Bell emerged again from the car park at 7.17pm. Terry was not seen alive again.

The fully-clothed body of Terry - who was 17 and lived at Calverley Hill hostel in the town - was found 12 days later in Bell's suitcase, hidden behind a low wall.

Bell maintained his innocence throughout the three trials, claiming he was smoking cannabis on his bedding at the time the prosecution say the attack happened.

After the verdict on Friday, Det Ch Insp Dave Withers, who led the murder investigation, said: "Our thoughts are with Terry’s family and friends today. Terry was a young, vibrant, popular woman with a life to look forward to. That life was tragically taken from her prematurely.

"Bell murdered Terry, hid her body and tried to cover up his horrific crime. We were able, through a meticulous investigation, to prove that Bell was guilty."