Teenage schoolgirl Rebecca Watts was murdered and dismembered by her stepbrother, Nathan Matthews, following a sexually-motivated kidnap plot, a court has now found.

His girlfriend Shauna Hoare – who denied any involvement in the killing – has this afternoon been charged with manslaughter.

Speaking after the verdicts, the family of Becky Watts paid tribute to her, saying she was a "loyal, loving, smiley, feisty and caring" girl. They added: "Cherish your children, as time with them can be too short".

 

Matthews, 28, suffocated 16-year-old Becky while trying to kidnap her from her home in Bristol on February 19.

After bringing her body 3km away to the property he shared with Hoare, he used a circular saw, goggles, masks, bags, cling film and tape to cut up and package her body.

Her remains were found 12 days later in eight different parts – stored in suitcases and a box – in a shed 80metres from Matthews's house.

A jury at Bristol Crown Court took just three-and-a-half hours to decide on their verdict. As well as manslaughter, Hoare was furthermore convicted of perverting the course of justice and preventing Becky's lawful burial.

Reading a statement on behalf of the family outside the court, the murdered teen's uncle said: 'Finally justice has been done for our beautiful Becky."

He thanked the "people of Bristol" for their kindness, adding that the family had "also drawn strength in the messages and support from strangers all around the world".

A post mortem had found Becky was suffocated during a "violent struggle" and suffered 15 stab wounds and a slash across her stomach after death.

She had been alone at the home she shared with her father and stepmother on February 19.

Matthews and Hoare, 21, who had been in a relationship for six years, arranged for a key to be left outside the property so they could let themselves in.

After her death, the couple remained at the family home for some eight hours before driving to their house with Becky's body in the boot of their car.

Both will be sentenced on Friday.