The Bellinger family today said that they wanted to thank the community for their “overwhelming support” since the deaths of Lili and Stephanie.

From money raised for the trust fund of Charlie, to messages and emails of sympathy from friends and complete strangers, the family say that they have been inundated by kind gestures.

Martin said: “The support we have had from the local community and beyond has been absolutely incredible.

“I’ve had emails from people who barely knew Stephanie but she came into their lives in some remote way.

“There are messages that come out of the blue, or donations to the trust fund set up for our grandson and it is so very thoughtful and generous.

“Like a huge bolder crashing into a pond, those closest feel the biggest impact of this awful incident, but the ripples spread outward to affect all.

“We know, as time has gone by, that what happened to Stephanie and Lili has been felt by so many people, whether they knew them or not.”

They added: “The impact of the dreadful loss of Stephanie and Lili Beau is a life sentence for us all.

“We would like to thank the police for their tireless work in bringing Anthony Marsh to justice; the media for their co-operation with the police in assisting to secure his quick arrest; to members of the jury whose lives very suddenly and unexpectedly became engulfed by these horrific killings, to Victim Support who have indeed supported us, particularly during the trial period, and to Cruse, the bereavement counselling service.”