IT HAS been one of the most challenging cases face by Hampshire Constabulary.

A sickening crime on a vulnerable woman, a complex crime scene and no way of knowing how the murderer knew his victim.

But due to the a dedicated team of officers, who were determined to get justice for Majella, McBride is today facing life in prison.

Their work did not go unnoticed by the judge who praised police for their work on what he called a "distressing" case.

Mr Justice Akenhead said: "I have been frankly amazed with the competence with which this police investigation has been carried out.

"I would like to commend DS Richard Sellwood and police staff investigator Jenna Eldridge. I appreciate they are the front end of a large police team who have all put in an enormous amount of work."

Despite the chaotic scene officers were confronted with, McBride had been very thorough with his clean-up operation and initial forensic tests all came up negative.

But knowing that not every trace could have been erased, forensic teams made several visits over many months until they finally got that key piece of DNA evidence that place him in the flat.

It was only a small droplet of blood found on her chest of drawers, but it was enough to prove he was there and prove he was lying when he said he had never met Majella.

There was also the grainy CCTV which proved vital - showing a man going inside the flat and then more importantly leaving three hours later.

It was where he went after which gave police their first link to McBride as the flat he went straight to was the home of his ex-girlfriend.

Tiny clues within that footage showed to the jury that this wasn't a man who had heard a noise, stopped and then went to the aid of a lady calling for help.

Shadows on the wall proved Majella was not at the window and that when McBride went inside the curtains were quickly pulled shut.

It also showed McBride tilting his head away from the camera when leaving - not the actions of the hero of the story.

Detective Sergeant Richard Sellwood said: "The enquiry presented significant challenges in terms of CCTV capture and analysis in order to identify the male visitor to the premises at the material time and a huge amount of forensic work to attempt to identify this male at the scene and link him to the crime forensically.

"This involved numerous forensic tests over a period of months and the attendance at the scene of a forensic scientist.

"A particularly dangerous predator has been found to be responsible for the murder of Majella Lynch, a totally innocent vulnerable lady.

"The public will now be safe from what is a very dangerous man. Our thoughts are with the family of Majella at this time."