Rachel Moran's killer Michael Little told police 'I must be evil', but pleaded not guilty to murder

Ten years on from the notorious murder of Rachel Moran, on New Year's Day 2003, Rick Lyon recalls the trial of killer Michael Little.

MICHAEL Little's trial for Rachel Moran's murder was one of the most dramatic ever seen at Hull Crown Court.

Little had admitted killing Rachel when police found her body in his flat, telling officers: "I can't be normal. I must be evil. A normal person would not do that."

But he later pleaded not guilty to Rachel's murder. With overwhelming evidence stacked up against him, Rachel's family, the police and prosecution were left wondering what possible defence he could put up.

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Amazingly, he tried to claim his friend who happened to be at the flat when the police found the body had killed Rachel in a jealous rage.

Little said the friend then threatened to kill him unless he took responsibility for her death.

The outrageous claims led to an innocent man being interrogated as a murder suspect in the witness stand.

"I live that trial every day," says Rachel's mother Wanda.

"Having to go through that and sit through that – it was so horrifying.

"I will never forget the trial, not until the day I die. I think it took years off me waiting for the verdict."

The jury spent nine hours deliberating their verdict. It was torture for the family.

"The longer the jury were out the more worried the police were looking," says Rachel's father Ray.

"They were huddling in little corners, things like that."

Former detective superintendent Paul Davison, who led the investigation, admits he feared the worst the longer the jury were out after numerous twists and turns throughout the trial. They included the police presenting new evidence to the judge midway through after a witness came forward, even though it appeared to support the defence.

Mr Davison says he had a duty to put the evidence forward, despite the potential risk it posed to Little's conviction.

"It was the most high-profile, high-energy, high-octane trial I have ever been to," he says.

"I thought we were losing it, despite all the extensive evidence.

"But the jury were magnificent. When I talked to them afterwards it was clear they had really listened to what had been said."

Having attended the court throughout the trial, Wanda could not bring herself to go in when the jury finally returned with their verdict.

"I couldn't have looked at that great fat face (if Little had been cleared)," she says.

"I think that's why I didn't go in.

"I just hope he is having a really, really bad time in prison."

• Rachel's parents tell of ten years of pain