Whiting was convicted of kidnap and murder in 2000

Sarah's parents, Sara and Michael, had hoped that he would tell Sussex police about the end of their daughter's life after he agreed to talk to detectives.

Interviewing prisoners after conviction is standard practice, police said - but Whiting, imprisoned for life, remained silent.

The Paynes wanted to know how long Whiting kept Sarah alive after he snatched her from a country lane close to her grandparents' home in Kingston Gorse, West Sussex, in July 2000.

In many ways, when this man took that young life he took our lives with him Terry Payne Sarah's grandfather

Mrs Payne said they were not entirely surprised by his refusal to speak.

"He never spoke before so I did not really expect him to speak now.

"We never believed a word the man said so in some ways it doesn't make any difference what he says now."

Sarah's grandfather Terry Payne said: "It just goes to prove what sort of man he is.

"If he had talked about what he did, it would not have ended our torment that lives with us every day but it may have brought a little bit more closure.

"There are some things we may not have wanted to hear but for Michael and Sara there are many questions that remain unanswered.

"In many ways, when this man took that young life he took our lives with him," he added.

Hopes raised

The Paynes also wanted to know what Whiting did with Sarah's clothes and what happened to her in the days before her body was found in a shallow grave near Pulborough.

Their hopes were raised when Whiting agreed to speak to detectives.

Detective Superintendent Alan Ladley, of Sussex Police, who led the original inquiry into Sarah's murder, said he gained nothing from visiting Whiting at Wakefield prison, West Yorkshire.

"Whiting agreed to see us. However, when he was interviewed, he refused to answer any questions whatsoever. No new light was thrown on the investigation."

Whiting has since been moved from Wakefield after he was slashed across the face by another inmate last August.