Family can't forgive 'monster' for battering great-grandmother to death

The family of murdered great-grandmother Irene Barrett say they cannot forgive the "monster" who stabbed and battered her to death in her home.

Daniel Franklin, 34, of Abbey Wood, south-east London, was convicted yesterday of killing the 88-year-old and jailed for at least 32 years.

The Old Bailey heard how Franklin stripped Mrs Barrett's jewellery from her fingers after stabbing her 21 times in a "vicious and prolonged attack" in the 15th-floor flat where she lived in Charlton, on May 15 last year. Her two granddaughters, Lisa Reid and Karen Burgess, both teachers, have spoken of their relief at the jury's guilty verdict.

Ms Reid, of Sussex, said: "I am happy he has been brought to justice but I'm still so sad that we are in this situation. The guilty verdict won't do anything to bring her back. The pain never goes away. What happened is just so senseless. I feel anger and despair. I just don't understand how anyone could do that to somebody so loving and caring."

Ms Reid, who has two children, Colby and Dom, said her grandmother, nicknamed Reenie, had known her killer since he was a small boy as she had been friends with his mother.

"She did have some suspicions that he had been stealing from her, but she gave him the benefit of the doubt. That's what she was like, she was very trusting. She loved people and she always saw the good in them."

Her sister, Karen, who also has two children, Lizzie and Tom, and lives in Norfolk, said she still had nightmares about the way in which her grandmother, a retired secretary, was killed.

She said: "I still feel shock and have sleepless nights. Having her missing at family events like Christmas is so hard.I haven't got to the point of considering forgiveness. It's just too raw."

Mrs Barrett, who had one son, David, three grandchildren and six great grandchildren, was housebound but remained active in her community.