A serial killer who murdered four men after drugging them and raping them while they were unconscious will spend the rest of his life in jail.

Barking and Dagenham Post: Officers are under investigation for their handling of the Stephen Port case after the discovery of three bodies near St Margaret's Church iin Barking was not treated as suspiciousOfficers are under investigation for their handling of the Stephen Port case after the discovery of three bodies near St Margaret's Church iin Barking was not treated as suspicious (Image: Archant)

Stephen Port, of Cooke Street, Barking, received a life sentence for the murders of Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor this morning.

Relatives of the victims cheered and clapped as Mr Justice Openshaw told the 41-year-old that he would never be released.

A man in the Old Bailey’s public gallery shouted “I hope you die a long slow death you piece of shit” as Port was sent down.

Mr Openshaw said Port had carried out the murders to “satisfy his lust” and highlighted his attempt to cover up two of his murders with a fake suicide notes as “wicked and monstrous”.

Barking and Dagenham Post: Jack Taylor was Port's final victimJack Taylor was Port's final victim

Port was also jailed for 22 years for each of the four counts of rape and 10 years for each of the 10 counts of administering a substance with intent.

He showed no emotion as prosecutor Jonathan Rees QC read harrowing statements from the victims’ families.

Port stalked his victims on dating websites and plied them with drinks spiked with fatal amounts of the drug GHB to fulfil his depraved sexual fantasies before dumping their bodies in or near St Margaret’s Church.

He was convicted of a total of 22 offences against 11 men on Wednesday and cleared of three counts of rape.

Barking and Dagenham Post: Anthony Walgate was Port's first victimAnthony Walgate was Port's first victim (Image: Archant)

The Met – which has referred its handling of the case to the Independent Police Complaints Commission – has not ruled out the possibility that Port may have abused more victims and has appealed for them to come forward.

More to follow

Barking and Dagenham Post: Cynthia Adams found Daniel Whitworth's body in the churchyardCynthia Adams found Daniel Whitworth's body in the churchyard (Image: Archant)

Barking and Dagenham Post: Jack Taylor was Port's final victimJack Taylor was Port's final victim