Milly Dowler verdict: Family picked apart as they sought justice

 

Robert and Sally Dowler craved justice for their “darling Milly”. But claiming it exacted a high personal price. Milly’s father and then her mother broke down in the dock as they gave evidence during Levi Bellfield’s trial.

Robert Dowler, now 59, was forced to admit he had been an early police suspect. He was stripped of his paternal dignity as details of his sexual proclivities were extracted.

The wail of Sally Dowler as she finished her evidence and collapsed into her husband’s arms, haunted a stunned court long after she was helped from the room.

Waiting outside for her turn as a witness, Milly’s sister, Gemma, 25, broke down on seeing her mother shaking and overwrought. Court officials and family liaison officers flustered round helplessly as she too convulsed in sobs.

“Harrowing” was how someone described the scene as a first-aider was summoned. No one disagreed. In the end Gemma was spared when lawyers consented to her statement being read to the court.

To read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jun/23/milly-dowler-family-court-verdict

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