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Former Tunbridge Wells Hospital employee shares horror after learning of David Fuller's crimes

14:35, 09 November 2021

updated: 16:10, 09 November 2021

A former hospital worker who once worked alongside necrophiliac and murderer David Fuller has spoken of her horror after learning of his crimes.

The woman, who asked not to be identified, spoke out after Fuller, from East Sussex, pleaded guilty last week to the murders of Wendy Knell, 25, and Caroline Pierce, 20, in 1987, in Tunbridge Wells.

Necrophiliac David Fuller worked at Tunbridge Wells Hospital Picture: Matthew Walker
Necrophiliac David Fuller worked at Tunbridge Wells Hospital Picture: Matthew Walker

Between 2008 and November 2020, Fuller abused the bodies of at least 100 women in Kent and Sussex Hospital, and then Tunbridge Wells Hospital. He worked in electric maintenance roles at both facilities.

"It wasn't until a saw a picture of him when he was younger," said the former courier, who was employed at both hospitals. "I thought 'Oh my God, I had him in my vehicle'. I had a cup of tea with the bloke.

She said she had been alone with him a few times.

"What he's done is just vile. He was an on-call electrician – he could come and go as he pleased."

She said she had worked alongside Fuller over a period of two years and that he "seemed like a normal family man", but added: "Saying that, he seemed a bit odd."

Necrophiliac and murderer David Fuller's Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust security pass
Necrophiliac and murderer David Fuller's Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust security pass

"I remember one time driving out around the back of the hospital and he came out of a wooded area. I just thought what a weirdo. I thought what the hell are you doing? Maybe he was just stretching his legs, but you don't know.

"I didn't sleep last night because I thought I need to get this off my chest. I felt physically sick.

"Seeing his face brought back all these memories.

"I sat in the porter's cabin with him and two other porters having a cup of tea at 3 o'clock in the morning – we did night shifts. A hospital is not a nice place to work at at night."

And she said she was especially horrified as her step sister had died at the hospital.

Murderer and necrophiliac David Fuller as a young man
Murderer and necrophiliac David Fuller as a young man

"She was in the mortuary for quite a period of time," she added. "That hit me – I thought 'Oh my God, did he violate her?'

"She died on Christmas day and there were a few issues with the weather, so funerals were delayed. There are 19 that haven't been named. Was she one of them?"

"It's a horrible feeling. I don't want to think about it. If it happened they might contact us or we could ring them. But I think it would destroy her father."

She added. "We need trauma money from the NHS. We worked in a place where it's not that safe for a woman to be driving at night."

The former courier said the revelations had affected her psychologically, but added: "I'm not the only one, especially those poor families that have been affected. That must be the worst thing."

The hard drives found at the home of David Fuller, which showed him abusing the bodies of dead women
The hard drives found at the home of David Fuller, which showed him abusing the bodies of dead women

Out of the 100 women abused by Fuller, police say they have formally identified 81, and are working to identify the others. But, they admit they might not be able to name all victims.

Fuller's crimes were discovered after police searched his house following the murder arrest, and found a concealed hard drive, containing photos and videos taking by Fuller, of him violating the bodies.

Fuller began working at Kent and Sussex Hospital in 1989, two years after he murdered Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce.

He then started working at its replacement, Tunbridge Wells Hospital, in 2010, for a sub- contractor firm.

Yesterday, Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced a public inquiry into how Fuller was able to commit his horrendous crimes, and wider lessons for the NHS.

A phoneline has been set up for people who have information which could help Operation Sandpiper, the police investigation into the mortuary offences committed by Fuller.

As of yesterday morning, it has received 403 calls from members of the public.

To ring, dial 0800 051 5270.

Read more: All the latest news from Tunbridge Wells

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