Alex Hanscombe, who witnessed the murder and sexual assault of his mother Rachel Nickell at the age of two, has turned 19 and now lives in Spain with his father, training to be a tennis coach. Neighbours describe him as courteous, good-natured, and a real gentleman.
In the aftermath of the killing, Alex was struck dumb with shock and later became a brooding, moody teenager with trouble at school and with police. His father, Andre Hanscombe, moved them abroad to escape media attention, describing journalists as 'callous, mercenary and unfeeling scum'.
Mr Hanscombe fell out with Rachel's parents, Andrew and Monica Nickell, over custody of Alex shortly after the murder. He obtained a parental responsibility order and has not spoken to them in over a decade, accusing them of hindering Alex's recovery.
The Nickells expressed hurt that Mr Hanscombe stopped them seeing their grandson and complained about media intrusion. Outside court, Mr Nickell said: 'This is the last time Monica or I will ever give an interview. Please leave us alone to grieve and regain our anonymity.'
Conrad Ellam, partner of another murder victim Samantha Bissett, said police failed to connect her death to Rachel's, possibly costing lives. He said: 'Because it happened shortly after Rachel's killing, I asked police if they thought there was any connection... They said there were too many differences.'
