The family of murdered mother Toni Mills today expressed relief after her killer was jailed for life.

Speaking to the Gazette last night (Thursday), Toni's mother, Susan Aris, 45, said they had not been expecting the outcome.

The family had been in court throughout the trial.

Mrs Aris said: "It was awful, with all the forensics and everything we sat through."

"I think we have got a pretty good result, we are feeling still pretty stunned."

Describing the court case, Darran Smith, 26, Toni's brother-in-law, said: "It was quite frightening, because we did not realise we would be as close to him as we were - not even a stone's throw away."

He said of the result: "It helps a bit that someone has been held accountable for Toni's death.

"There are people out there who do not know who killed their relatives, whereas in this way we did. We just hope she can rest in peace now."

Mrs Aris added: "At least we know that, for a long time, there is no possibility of this happening to anyone else."

Toni's sister, Marrissa Smith, 26, said she had no feelings towards Mills: "If we think about him, we are not concentrating on Toni."

Days after Toni's death, her family expressed their grief and paid tribute to a loving daughter and sister who had doted on her son Macaulay.

Macaulay, now five, is staying with Mrs Aris.

The family said their thoughts were now with organising Toni's funeral as the body had to be retained throughout the investigation.

Mr Smith said he wanted to thank the police for all they had done, and everyone at the courts and bereavement service Cruse for their thoughts and sympathy.

Det Sgt Martin Brough, of Clacton police, who dealt with the case, said: "The investigative team are very pleased with the outcome of the court case. We are particularly pleased for the family.

"They have had to relive the tragic events of December 6 and have done so with dignity."

He added: "We can only speculate about the type of life that Toni lived with Jason.

"The judge described Jason as a dangerous man when he consumed alcohol and this is something Toni found to her cost."

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