Police dig for baby’s body at home of Fred West’s friends

“But not only was it murdered — but the baby was cut in half. The police are now digging up the garden at the bungalow over the next few days to see if there are any remains and to see if this allegation has any truth in it.”

The work at the bungalow on Cullompton Hill is expected to last until the end of the week.

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall police said: “This relates to historic intelligence connected to the address and its former occupants. It is expected to take up to four days to complete.

“Specialist officers will be involved in the excavation which we hope will have as little impact on the local community as possible.”

The prolific abusers became friends of the Wests when they lived close to their notorious home in Cromwell Street, Gloucester, in the 1980s and 90s.

Williams terrified some of his victims by boasting of his connections to the Wests, who used to drink at the Prince Albert pub which he ran with his wife.

The historic offences by the Williams were committed between 1991 and 2004 while the couple lived in both Gloucester and in Exeter, Devon.

A makeshift plastic roof was erected over the garden at the Wiliams’ former bungalow on Tuesday.

A source close to the investigation said: “The forensics officers wanted a roof over the garden. They are going to be digging for bodies there.”

The investigation into the pair, named Operation Abbey, began in July 2013 when a woman disclosed to a mental health professional that she had been raped and sexually abused by Williams when she was 15.

She then spoke to Detective Constable Debbie Dow, from the force’s child abuse investigation unit, and made a complaint against him.

A number of other people then came forward to expose the abuse they had been subjected to by Williams and his wife. The couple denied all the allegations throughout the investigation and trial despite overwhelming evidence against them.

Speaking after the pair were sentenced, DC Dow said: “David and Pauline Williams carried out a string of sickening and callous sexual attacks on children and teenagers without remorse over a 15-year period.

“Their campaign of abuse started in Gloucester and continued when they moved to Devon and lived in Exeter and Tiverton.

“The abuse was both physical and sexual and undertaken by both David and Pauline Williams; one victim was as young as seven years old when this started.

“These victims, both men and woman, had their childhoods stolen by David and Pauline Williams and all have suffered difficulties throughout their adulthood following this abuse as they struggled to live normal lives.”

Devon and Cornwall police said the bungalow was the only property being excavated and that no other forces were involved.

Neighbours said they feared the pair were going to be “the next Fred and Rose”. Others said the couple moved to Bradninch a couple of years before they were charged and would often try to get other children to play at their property.

One, who asked not to be named, said: “I saw them from time to time. They looked a bit odd.

“When it all came out everyone was really shocked. There was a lovely couple living there before.

“But I really hope we don’t get to see another Rose and Fred West scenario.”

Suzanne Cox, 47, a self employed mother of five, said: “They were an odd couple. I made an effort to say hello but I wish I hadn’t. She was very solemn. You could tell she didn’t want to get involved with other people.”

Another woman who lives near by said: “It is horrendous and the couple used to ask children to go and play all the time.

“But not one parent ever let them go and play. “I hope and pray they don’t find anything in their house — as that would be just too horrific to think about.”