Smothered daughters' funeral held

Miss Hughes wept as her daughters' coffins were taken past

The funeral of two girls smothered to death by their father at a garage in Southampton has taken place.

David Cass, 33, killed Ellie, three, and Isobelle, 14 months, in the caravan where he lived in the grounds of Paynes Road Car Sales before hanging himself.

Police found the bodies of the mechanic and his daughters at the garage in Freemantle on 21 September.

Their mother Kerrie Hughes wept as the funeral took place at Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, in Eastleigh.

Miss Hughes had asked for mourners to wear bright clothes, and the coffins to be borne on a white horse-drawn carriage.

'Guardian angels'

As the coffins were carried into the church by the girls' uncles, their favourite song, Rock This Party, by Bob Sinclair, was played.

During the service, led by Father Michael Dennehy, prayers were said for the girls.

Ellie, three, and Isobelle, 14 months, were described as "angels"

Father Michael said in his sermon: "It is said that the price we pay for loving someone who has been tragically taken away from us is the deep pain of grief.

"I have no doubt that our two little angels Ellie and Isobelle are safe together in God's company in that special place prepared for them in heaven.

"Kerrie, you have two angels now watching over you. In many ways they have become your guardian angels."

Family friend Lisa Keeling read a poem she had written in memory of the two girls.

Following the service, a burial took place at Ramalley Cemetery in Hursley Road, Chandler's Ford.

Mr Cass was caring for the youngsters for the first time on 20 September after splitting from Miss Hughes, 20, about four months earlier.

He was supposed to have returned them the next day.

On Wednesday, Miss Hughes attended the funeral of Mr Cass at Christ Church in Freemantle, Southampton, where she took a bouquet of flowers to be placed at his graveside.