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Builder murdered and ‘incinerated’ escorts he met online

Mark Brown could receive a whole life sentence for his crimes - PA
Mark Brown could receive a whole life sentence for his crimes - PA

A builder who led a double life behind his partner’s back has been found guilty of murdering two women he met through an online escort agency.

Mark Brown, who described himself as a “psychopath with a conscience”, killed Alex Morgan, 34, and Leah Ware, 33, on remote farmland he rented in East Sussex.

The 41-year-old put Ms Morgan head-first into a home-made incinerator before dumping her remains.

The body of Ms Ware has never been found, but the prosecution believe he used a similar method - as well as also killing her Pomeranian dog, Lady.

Brown, who had a partner of 14 years and three children, met the women when they were operating as sex workers and began relationships with them both.

The body of Leah Ware has never been found - PA
The body of Leah Ware has never been found - PA

He met Ms Ware - a mother of three with a history of serious mental illness - in 2018 and moved her into a flat that he paid for.

But in 2019 she moved to his remote farm, living first in a caravan and then a shipping container in the barn.

Brown killed Alex Morgan after luring her to his farm - PA
Brown killed Alex Morgan after luring her to his farm - PA

The court heard how he was very controlling and would lock her in the barn when he was at work.

He killed her last May when she began pressuring him to leave his long term partner, but her remains have never been found.

Whole life sentence being considered

Brown also met Alex Morgan, a former dog groomer from Sissinghurst, Kent, through an online escort agency but killed her in November last year after luring her to his farm.

Judge Justice Nicholas Hilliard adjourned sentencing until Jan 13, and warned Brown that a whole life sentence was one option being considered.

A mini belonging to Alexandra Morgan arriving at Little Bridge Farm - PA
A mini belonging to Alexandra Morgan arriving at Little Bridge Farm - PA

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Wolstenholme, of Sussex Police, described Brown as a "predator" who gained the trust of the two women before murdering them.

“Mark Brown is a hugely controlling character. He is really disgraceful. He has taken people into his confidence, he has betrayed trust. He is a predatory man and he has killed two women for his own gratification and there can be no worse crime. He is a disgrace.”

A lead detective issuing a statement outside court after the verdict, as the victims' families watch on - David Smith / Alamy Live News
A lead detective issuing a statement outside court after the verdict, as the victims' families watch on - David Smith / Alamy Live News

He said he hoped Brown would finally tell the truth about what happened to Leah and what he did with her body.

He said: “We will be going to see Mark Brown at the earliest opportunity to ask him to finally start to tell the truth about what happened with Leah and reveal the location of Leah’s body so we can take action and really help the family to get some closure around the murder of Leah.”