A Pitsea murderer "strangled" his girlfriend "probably with his bare hands" in a "haunting" case, a crown court judge has said.

Gary Bennett, 37, of Caister Driver, Pitsea, was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court this morning after being guilty of the murder of Madison Wright, 30, at the court on Tuesday.

Ms Wright, also from Pitsea, was reported missing on July 22 last year and on July 30 her body was discovered at Wat Tyler Park in Pitsea.

Judge Samantha Leigh said: "I am satisfied that you strangled her probably with your bare hands. 

"There are cases that come before the court that are the most serious kind. But every so often there are facts that shock and haunt the most experienced court, and this is one of them.

"What you did was unspeakable, you snuffed out the life of a woman who say was your world and you destroyed the lives of her family. Your attitude was if I can't have you noone else can.

"Nothing I can say can take away the utter devastation felt by her family. I am satisfied her messaged about controlling behaviour are true.

"You shouted at the jury 'how dare you. There is no evidence."

During the trial, the jury were told Bennett killed his girlfriend, put her body in the boot of her own car, and drove around in it for a few days before burying her in Wat Tyler Park.

He was jailed for life with a minimum of 21 years which reduces to 20 years due to the amount of time he's spend in custody.