Killer screamed 'how f*****g dare you' after jury convicted him of girlfriend's murder

In a statement, Madison Wright's family said: "Her life has been stolen from not just her but from all of us. Her memory however will live on through her son whom we cherish dearly."

10:32, Thu, Mar 30, 2023 | UPDATED: 11:19, Thu, Mar 30, 2023

Police statement after boyfriend jailed for Madison Wright murder

A killer, who cried in the dock when he first appeared in court, screamed “how f*****g dare you” at the jury when they found him guilty of murdering his girlfriend. Gary Bennett killed Madison Wright and then hid her body in a country park. During his two-week trial the jury learned that he did it because he had heard she was planning to leave him.

EssexLive reports that Bennett, 37, was sentenced to life imprisonment at Basildon Crown Court yesterday and must serve a minimum of 21 years in prison before parole.

During the trial the court heard that Ms Wright was last seen alive at 8.30am on July 22 last year.

The 30-year-old’s body was found eight days later in Wat Tyler Country Park in Pitsea, Basildon, Essex, under a pile of shrubbery, branches and a fence panel which had Bennett’s DNA on it.

The jury heard that Bennett, from the small town of Pitsea, had put Ms Wright's body into her own car and driven her to the park where he hid her body.

Madison Wright wearing a white tshirt with a bag

Madison Wright's family say: "We will remember every smile, laugh and every moment." (Image: PA)

Police officers discovered it while on patrol in the area.

In December, Essex Police revealed that mother’s phone had been turned on two months after her body was found. They said it could have been found by a member of the public.

Judge Samantha Leigh, who presided over the trial, said the killing was “one of the most overwhelming” cases of murder she had seen, “even for someone who has been involved in the criminal justice system for as long as I have”.

In her closing speech, prosecutor Tracy Ayling KC told the court that there was “no other candidate” for the killing of Ms Wright and that the evidence suggests Bennett dragged her body from the car to where her body was found.

A police mugshot of Gary Bennett

Gary Bennett murdered his girlfriend and then dumped her body in a park (Image: PA)

She said: “To quote Casablanca, it seems of all the fence panels in all of Wat Tyler Country Park, Mr Bennett's DNA had to be on this one.

“There is no other candidate for the killing of Madison Wright.”

Mail Online reports that in a tribute previously shared by her family, Ms Wright was described as the “most loving” daughter, sister, granddaughter, great-granddaughter, niece, cousin, friend and soon-to-be aunt.

They said: “Throughout her life Madison was a happy, gentle, thoughtful and kind person.

“She was never a fan of being the centre of attention and definitely would not have liked this."

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A black car parked in a car park

Gary Bennett used his girlfriend's car to transport her body to the park (Image: Essex Police)

The tribute went on to say: “Our family has suffered a loss that is unimaginable and irreparable, and the void Madison leaves will never be filled.

“Her life has been stolen from not just her but from all of us. Her memory however will live on through her son whom we cherish dearly.

“We will remember every smile, laugh and every moment we had the honour to share.

“We will miss you for the rest of our lives Mad. The love we have for you is beyond words and you will forever be in our hearts. Rest in peace Mad, until we meet again.”