But there were moments where he acted like the perfect boyfriend and somehow he made me cling on, especially when we had a baby girl.
On my 25th birthday, I woke to find the entire room covered in flowers. Roses were everywhere. Levi had dressed our five-month-old daughter and ran me a bath. He then took me to ride my horses and for lunch at the golf course opposite. It was a lovely day.
But most days, my life was simply about trying not to die. Rapes became daily. Even when I fell pregnant again, the abuse didn’t stop. Then one day, he beat me so badly on our doorstep, I knew I had to end it.
‘I can’t do this anymore,’ I told Mum.
After three years together, I got a restraining order. I would still see him driving past all the time and he’d give me nonstop silent phone calls.
I learned to live with the fear.
Then, in August 2004, French student Amélie Delagrange, 22, was found murdered nearby. She’d been hit over the head with a blunt object.
There were other violent attacks too… Marsha McDonnell, 19, had been beaten to death with a blunt instrument in February 2003. Kate Sheedy, 18, had miraculously survived after being mowed down as she crossed the road in May 2004.
I started to wonder whether Levi might have been involved. I knew how violent he could be. So I went to police and told them my suspicions.
In February 2008, Levi Bellfield appeared in court and his trial began. He was convicted of the murders of Amélie and Marsha, and the attempted murder of Kate Sheedy. He got a life sentence, to never be freed.
Afterwards, I felt numb. Then in June 2011, he was convicted of murdering Milly Dowler.
Milly, 13, had disappeared in March 2002 on her way home from school. Six months later, her body had been found in the woods. He was handed another life sentence.
With three murders to his name, Bellfield was officially a serial killer.
I have had relationships since, but he has ruined me.
‘I’m not Levi,’ exes have said, but I cannot trust men and always leave.
I hoped one day I’d get married, but now that looks unlikely. I can’t bear the thought of what he did to me happening again.
My two children with him, now 23 and 22, are lovely young people who are so polite and caring. No-one can believe he is their dad. And my children are honestly the only thing I can thank him for.
He’s pure evil.
