David Fuller has pleaded guilty to a further 16 charges in relation to sexual offences committed in a mortuary setting.
Two whole life sentences
Fuller, 68, had previously received two whole life sentences on 15 December 2021, after pleading guilty at Maidstone Crown Court to the murders of Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce in 1987. He was also given concurrent sentences totalling 12 years, in respect of further unrelated charges he pleaded guilty to.
These included sexual offences against 78 deceased females at mortuaries in Tunbridge Wells Hospital and at the former Kent and Sussex Hospital, between 2008 and 2020.
Evidence which relates to a total of 101 victims
An investigation by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate has led to evidence which relates to a total of 101 victims in these mortuary settings. The latest charges authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service are connected to the 23 remaining victims, all of whom were deceased adult females. They cover a period between 2007 and 2020.
An extensive and complex identification process has led to 13 of these 23 further victims being formally identified. It has not been possible to establish the identities of the other 10 victims, however the charges reflect offending against all of them.
On Thursday 3 November 2022, Fuller appeared before Croydon Crown Court and pleaded guilty to the following charges:
- 10 charges under section 70 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. These relate to offences involving 10 identified victims.
- Two further charges under section 70 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. These relate to offences involving three unidentified victims.
- Two charges under section 63 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008. These relate to the possession of extreme pornography in connection with 13 identified victims.
- Two further charges under section 63 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008. These relate to the possession of extreme pornography in connection with 10 unidentified victims.
Fuller will be sentenced at the Old Bailey during the week commencing 5 December.
More information
Anyone who may still have information about the investigation can visit the Op Sandpiper Major Incident Public Portal, or call the contact centre on 01622 654030.
If you are not directly involved but are still affected by this investigation, support services are available from the following providers: