WARPED 'Babes in the Wood' killer Russell Bishop who brutally murdered two girls was given a taxpayer-funded funeral, The Sun can reveal.
The monster, 55, died in hospital in January just hours after being rushed there from top security HMP Frankland, Co Durham.
His last moments were spent alone, watched over only by a pair of prison officers as his life ebbed away.
Now it’s been revealed he was also cremated alone – and nearly £3,000 in taxpayer money was used to lay the evil killer to rest.
Brits forked out £2,800 for his funeral “package” – which included “the collection of his body, his coffin, the transportation of the body to the crematorium and a short blessing”.
A Freedom of Information request showed no family or friends were present for the disgusting lag’s death ceremony.
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The families of Bishop's victims had begged him to use his final weeks to tell them why he had committed the murders.
Bishop had escaped justice for 32 years after murdering nine-year-olds Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway in 1986.
He was prosecuted for the notorious attack, but walked free from court in 1987 thanks to a catalogue of blunders.
DNA evidence finally saw him caged in 2018, but last year we revealed how he had been diagnosed with bowel cancer.
The disease quickly spread despite surgery, and by October he was being given palliative care.
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Bishop, of Brighton, East Sussex, lured best friends Nicola and Karen to a secluded den in the city's Wild Park where he sexually assaulted and strangled them.
Their bodies were found the next day.
He was prosecuted but escaped justice in 1987 due to errors by police, forensic experts and prosecutors.
Bishop went on to abduct and sexually assault a girl of seven in a near identical attack and was jailed for attempted murder in 1990.
He was finally convicted of the Babes in the Wood murders in December 2018 after DNA advances.
But his death brought an end to the chance to investigate him over any other linked attacks.
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A spokesperson for The Ministry of Justice said: "Prisons must offer to pay a contribution towards reasonable funeral expenses of up to £3,000.
"The only exceptions where the family has a pre-paid funeral plan or is entitled to claim a grant from other government departments e.g. Department of Work and Pensions."
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