Sarah Payne parents in marriage split
The parents of murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne have split up, blaming the difficulties of coping with the horrific ordeal.
Sara and Michael Payne, who are expecting their fifth child together, revealed they are now living apart.
Their eight-year-old daughter Sarah was snatched by paedophile Roy Whiting as she played in a field with her brothers and sister in West Sussex three years ago.
Mrs Payne told the News of the World: "We know we're not the same people we once were - and everyone knows the awful reason why."
Mr Payne, who is living away from the family home in Hersham, Surrey, said the events of the last three years had been "overwhelming".
He told the newspaper he felt guilty for being unable to protect his daughter and this had put strain on his marriage.
"I've a lot of anger and bitterness inside me. I'm full of guilt and rage that I wasn't there to protect my little girl from that man," he said.
The couple, both 34, who are expecting a baby girl in November, were together for 18 years.
They have three other children - Lee, 16, Luke, 14, and eight-year-old Charlotte.
