GRIFFITH’S top cop has rejected claims Stephanie Scott’s killer had plotted to attack a Leeton 12-year-old girl on the same weekend he raped and murdered the popular schoolteacher.
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Reports alleging Vincent Stanford became fixated on a 12-year-old girl who lived in Leeton and fantasised about murdering her have been labelled “factually inaccurate”.
Griffith Police Commander Michael Rowan added that the Supreme Court had since implemented a suppression order surrounding the case.
“Media reports this morning are factually incorrect and have caused significant upset and distress to a number of people, which is unfortunate," he said.
The News Limited reports claimed the young girl was away for the weekend with her family, leading Stanford to instead target Ms Scott.
Stanford, a Leeton High cleaner, on Wednesday pleaded guilty to Ms Scott’s murder at a Sydney court.
It comes as the reality of the guilty plea has sunk in for Ms Scott’s family, close friends and the community.
Leeton mayor Paul Mayton said it was a slight relief to know that her family would not have to go through the traumatic ordeal of a lengthy, drawn-out trial.
“I think they have a clear cut case against him, and now that he's made admissions and pleaded guilty we can only hope justice finally prevails,” he said.
“We’ve had a slight reprieve, it’s a small victory and hopefully the family feel that way also.
“This has affected our entire town and it’s damaged that poor family beyond repair – only the judge can help relieve that pain.”
Close friend Rachael Hansell, pleased the identity of Ms Scott’s killer was beyond doubt, remembered a “beautiful, kind soul”.
“She was a friendly, lovely, fun, strong and just an angel from heaven that I had the privilege to cross paths with and I miss her everyday,” she said on Facebook.
And Stephanie Scott’s fiance Aaron Leeson-Woolley told Fairfax Media he was “a bit relieved” to hear the outcome of the plea hearing.
Court details found 26-year-old Ms Scott went to the school on Easter Sunday to prepare a class for her English students prior to her wedding and honeymoon the following weekend.
Her burnt remains were discovered in a bush grave – arms still bound with handcuffs – after a week-long painstaking search.
Stanford will be sentenced for Ms Scott’s murder in Griffith on October 11.
