FURIOUS family of Helen Bailey said twisted Ian Stewart was handed “a licence to kill” when cops missed his first murder.

       Loved-ones said the monster would not have been free to kill the millionaire writer if investigators had done their jobs properly when he suffocated wife Diane Stewart, in 2010.

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       Helen's family say her murdering fiance was handed a 'licence to kill' Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

       Instead he was left free to seduce Helen, then drug and suffocate her before dumping her body in a cesspit with her beloved sausage dog Boris, in 2016.

       Family said it was clear Stewart felt emboldened after getting away with his first murder - and identified Helen as a wealthy, vulnerable target.

       Helen’s Cousin Judith Ireland, 72, of Scunhorpe, Lincs, said: “He was given a licence to kill. Thankfully, he was caught the second time. We had no idea what he was like.

       “Questions should be asked why the police did not catch him the first time.

       “He must have known Helen had money. How could she hide something like that when she was famous?

       “You would only have to look her name up to find she had a house and all the rest of it.

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       “If they want to go hunting they can find anything and anyone these days.

       “He was only after her money from the start.

       "From the moment I was told his first wife had died and he had gone on a bereavement site I just thought ‘Hmm. That doesn’t ring true to me. Why would he do that?

       “I think he was looking for victims - like a serial killer. He clearly wanted her dead for her money.

       “Of course, when we knew what happened to Helen, we were appalled, naturally.

       “But we were also suspicious about what happened to his first wife and whether he had bumped her off."

       Judith revealed she first encountered Stewart when Helen revealed she was dating him in a Christmas card - describing him as “wonderful”.

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       Diane was killed in 2010 Credit: PA

       The close cousin said she had no idea the oddball would end up being a narcissistic double-killer - who only cared about getting Helen’s money to himself.

       Judith said: “The first time I knew Helen had met someone was when I got a Xmas Card in which she called him a ‘wonderful partner’.

       “He came across as a strange character from the start - a “Man of Few Words” my auntie always said. But we never said much because he was Helen’s fiancé.”

       “Helen referred to him as ‘the gorgeous grey haired widower’. I did not think he looked gorgeous at all. He had a great big pot belly and a scraggly beard.

       “But she was always very trusting - which is probably what drew him to her.

       Blasting him as “a monster” Judith added: “I am sick of all the damage that has been done to the family.

       “I am a very sensitive person and I have carried it for a long time.

       “It is a relief to know it might be finally over. Other than that, I don’t care what happens to him.

       “He is a real monster. There are monsters. I am grateful this one has been put away.”

       How you can get help

       Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:

       Always keep your phone nearby. Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine. If you are in danger, call 999. Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”. Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare. If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone. Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.

       If you are a -victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support -service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.

       Women’s Aid provides a live chat service - available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.

       You can also call the freephone 24-hour -National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

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       Stewart Credit: Enterprise