Convicted killer brags about stabbing mum to inmates (From This Is Local London)

Convicted killer Reece Ludlow brags about stabbing mum Louisa Brannan to inmates

7:00am Friday 1st March 2013 in News Exclusive By James Pepper

A killer’s boast in prison of how he murdered a mother-of-three has left the victim’s father calling for him never to be released.

In July last year Reece Ludlow, 20, was jailed for life to serve a minimum of 17 years in Belmarsh prison for the murder of Louisa Brannan at his flat in Oakwood Court, Sutton, on March 14, 2011.

But it emerged this week in prison Ludlow has been gloating to fellow inmates about how he stabbed the 35-year-old to death.

A former prisoner at Belmarsh said Ludlow showed inmates pictures of Miss Brannan’s body in his flat, telling them he killed her to prove to his ex-girlfriend, who he had called that night, that Miss Brannan meant nothing to him.

Ludlow and Miss Brannan had gone back to his flat after meeting in a pub earlier in the evening.

Recently released Steve Coles, 32, who was jailed for a driving offence, said: “He was showing off the pictures like he was down the pub, like he was proud of what he had done.

"I had to walk away before I hit him. That was a mother he was talking about, and somebody’s daughter.”

'Cowardly woman-hater'

Miss Brannan’s father David Brannan reacted with anger and disgust at Ludlow’s boasts.

Mr Brannan said: “I hope he never sees the light of day again. If he gets out after 17 years, he will still be a young man, able to live the rest of his life. But he took my daughter’s away, and for that, I hope he never comes out. He should stay and rot in there.

“That cowardly woman-hater has torn this family apart.

“To brag about how he dragged my daughter, my first born, around his flat stabbing her. He is sick.”

Ludlow appears to have shown no remorse since murdering Miss Brannan nearly two years ago and going on the run.

Mr Brannan, spoke as part of the first interview he has given since the loss of Louisa.

The former Yorkshire miner, 57, said he was starting counselling to help cope with the loss of two of his daughters in the space of six months.

His daughter Kayleigh died of cancer just six months after her wedding, which Louisa sang at.

He said: “When I answered the door to police and they said it was about Louisa, I think I fell over. I felt sick.

“She was my first born. I know she wasn’t perfect but she was getting her life back on track.

"The day she was killed she was due to pick up the keys to a new flat. She was starting a new life, but he took that away.

“Kayleigh was going to help her decorate the flat, but instead I had to tell her, while she was dying from cancer, that her sister had been murdered. Just imagine that.

“I have had to keep it together for the grandchildren, but it has been so hard.

“Kayleigh’s wedding was the happiest day of my life, it was perfect, and Louisa was getting better.

“Less than a month later she was murdered, by this coward. I will never forgive him for as long as I live.

“He took her away from us.”