Subhuman. Malcolm Sentance could find only one word to describe Graham Coutts.

At an emotion-charged Press con-ference, Mr Sentance said hanging or suicide was too good for him. He wanted him to suffer.

Mr Sentance, Jane's 35-year-old partner, said the biggest insult during the trial was Coutts' claim Jane had jumped into bed with him and consented to strangulation sex.

He said: "Graham Coutts is totally subhuman. There is no truth in anything he said from the word go.

"I was with Jane for four years. I know the truth and anyone who knew Jane knows the truth."

Mr Sentance, a former education welfare officer and now unemployed, said he was astounded when Coutts, a former friend and partner of Jane's best friend, was arrested.

He said: "I just thought it was some nutter from the shadows. He is a devious, devious man."

It had been difficult listening to the lies in court, he said, adding: "You had to swallow your tongue."

Coutts is on suicide watch at Belmarsh Prison, London, and Mr Sentance said he hoped he didn't kill himself.

He said: "I want him to suffer. Thirty years is a damn site harder."

Asked if he had a message for Coutts, Mr Sentance said: "I would not waste my time speaking to him - his life is over."

Jane's mother, Liz Longhurst, said: "Today is a day of relief for us all, the culmination of the most difficult year we as a family have endured."

She was delighted with the outcome but it could never bring back "a partner, sister, daughter and friend."

Mrs Longhurst, from Reading, said: "The evidence we have heard has been harrowing and the lies told by the defendant added to the pain we have already suffered."

She thanked Sussex Police for their "tireless" efforts and the media for helping bring forward vital witnesses.

She said: "I am so relieved this man won't walk the streets again to harm people. If he was free he would be attacking someone else."

She had noticed during the trial how Coutts had been "utterly lacking" in remorse, adding: "That for me was so chilling."

Fighting back tears, she said: "Jane was loved by all who knew her . . . she will live on in our memories."

Jane's sister, Sue Barnett, also from Reading, said the family had been "living a nightmare" since Jane disappeared.

She said: "I am delighted justice has been done although it doesn't take away the loss we have suffered.

"When Jane first went missing we knew something was very wrong. Five weeks later, her body was found and it was devastating news.

"Since then we have been waiting for her killer to be put behind bars.

"Jane was an honest and caring young woman who would never hurt anyone.

"I am jubilant her murderer has been convicted but sad I have lost my baby sister, a life tragically cut short.

"Jane was clever, talented and a wonderful person . . . I miss her every day."

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Dennis, in charge of the murder inquiry, praised the family for their courage and said: "A very dangerous man has been put away for a very long time to make the streets of Sussex safer."