Mother's murder rips family apart

Dina Rezk is much more fearful after her mother's murder

Laila Rezk was preparing a family meal when she came face to face with the man who would kill her in a brutal and sustained attack.

She confronted him and started screaming but instead of running away, Lloyd Edwards chose to attack her.

He beat her until she was unconscious before leaving her lying bleeding while he looked around her house.

He returned to the scene of the crime before searching through handbags, where he found what he was looking for.

The mother-of-two lost her life for £60.

Her two children made the grim discovery at the family home in Kingston Vale, south-west London.

I will never go back to where I used to live. If I could uproot my whole life I would leave London Dina Rezk, victim's daughter

"We got home and the door was ajar," said her daughter Dina Rezk, then 22.

"The floor was a mess, there was blood in the bathroom. We called for mum and started screaming. We called the police. It seemed a long time before they came. A second felt like an hour."

The family were told early on that Mrs Rezk's condition was serious, but Dina said she did not think she was going to die.

Dina's younger brother Tama Rezk, a medical student, then aged 20, knew better.

"I knew when I first saw my mum that she was going to die," he said.

"I knew she was delicate."

The death of the 51-year-old woman has left an indelible mark on the family.

Edwards had committed violent burglaries since he was 10

"I'm now suspicious," said Dina.

"I have a lot more fear, I don't walk alone at night. I will never go back to where I used to live. If I could uproot my whole life I would leave London."

Their father Maurice Rezk described the event as a "disaster".

He said: "Anger is nothing to do with it. It took a year to stand up - to think and do things in a semi-normal way.

"It wasn't anger, it was just a loss we suffered losing a very beautiful and educated wife and a wonderful mother. There are no words to describe it."

Investigators who described Edwards as a "prolific burglar" said it had been highly likely that someone would one day be killed in one of his raids.

Edwards had committed violent burglaries since he was 10. He often drank and smoked cannabis - often the proceeds of his crimes simply funding his drinking and drug-taking.

Det Ch Insp Phil Adams said: "This guy was looking for a chance to get some money and took the opportunity knowing someone would be inside the house.

"He said he was willing to use violence."