A COUNCIL has decided not to re-let the flat where schoolgirl Rochelle Holness was murdered but her mother is starting a petition to make sure no-one will ever live there.

Last month convicted rapist John McGrady was given a life sentence at the Old Bailey for the murder of Jennifer Bennett's 15-year-old daughter.

The former butcher, who pleaded guilty to murder on April 12, snatched Rochelle from a phone box near her home in Catford after she went to call her boyfriend on September 25 last year.

It is believed he killed Rochelle within hours of her entering his home on the Milford Towers Estate, Catford.

Three days later her remains were found dumped in bin bags in a supermarket trolley near a stairwell to the estate.

On June 8, Ms Bennett saw a property on the estate being advertised to let in Lewisham Council's housing leaflet.

When she rang the council to find out which property it was she was shocked to discover it was McGrady's old flat.

The 38-year-old, of Besson Road, New Cross, said: "I told them how can you let that property where my daughter died? You have no respect'.

"They don't know what I'm going through."

But the council then made a U-turn and said it would not be re-letting the property.

A spokesman said: "We sympathise with Rochelle's family and will do what we can to support them.

"We have made the decision not to re-let the flat for the time being and will consider the future of the property in due course."

Ms Bennett added: "I'm not happy and am going to organise a petition so nobody lives in the flat at all.

"The council needs to show some consideration. I feel so let down."