EXCLUSIVE: Former lodger and survivor of Fred and Rose West reveals she "could have been their next victim"
Jayne Hamer lived at 25 Cromwell Street when she was 16-year-old
Last updated 12th Jul 2021
In an exclusive interview, a former lodger and survivor or Fred and Rose West has revealed she "could have been their next victim".
Jayne Hamer moved into 25 Cromwell Street in Gloucester when she was 16-year-old after running away from home.
Warning - some readers may find some of the content of this article and documentary upsetting
The house was known as 'The House of Horrors' and was the epicentre of the the couple's spree of murder, torture and rape - which span over two decades.
Fred and Rose were collectively charged with the murders of 12 young women in Gloucestershire and buried them under the floor of the cellar and the patio in the garden.
Watch the full documentary with Jayne:
Arriving at 25 Cromwell Street
Grieving the loss of her father, Jayne left home when she was 16-years-old.
She's told us how she found her way to living with two of the country's most notorious serial killers:
"I bumped into Anne-Marie daughter of Fred and Rose in town and I told her that I would love to get my own place.
"She told me her parents had a spare room and said she would take me to see them to see if they would let it to me.
"There were really very little preparations. I went to meet Fred and Rose one evening after they finished in the café and I went and had a look at the room. It was nice enough so I decided to take it and moved in within the next few days."
Living in the 'House of Horrors'
Jayne rented a room in the house and was one a of a few lodgers who also lived there.
"The house was very clean, it was always very, very clinical. I only found that out when I was allowed to start going into the main part of the house after I started looking after the children.
"It always felt warm to me because the children were there and they always seemed to be happy enough.
"But it was like the palace had been scrubbed to an inch of its life. It always smelt very bleachy and clean.
"There was minimalistic furniture in there. For back in that day I found that a bit strange because most place had a lot of junk."
Rose was known for engaging in prostitution and often had men and women visit the house for paid sex.
Jayne said: "I'd be sat in the room with the children some nights and the doorbell would go and the red light would come on.
"I was informed that this was when Rose had her gentleman in."
In one incident Jayne explained how Fred took her down to the cellar:
"It was very clean, very tidy and painted. There were a couple of pictures that the children had made which were put up on the wall.
"I stayed in there for no more than two minutes because I found it very dank, very dreary.
"Ever since I've thought about it properly, I just think in my head I was probably going to be his next victim. Why else would you take someone down there?"
Leaving 25 Cromwell Street
Jayne lived with the West family for around a year before she decided to leave.
"I heard for a few nights something which disturbed me. It was Fred I believe breaking Heather in, it was described to me.
"upon asking the question 'what do you mean?' i was told he feels it's right for him to break his daughter in before any other man.
"Heather was approximately 8-year-old when this was happening.
"I kind of doubted myself, but having heard it several nights in a row - the words "stop it, daddy, stop it" will haunt me for the rest of my life."
Jayne was disgusted by what she heard and made the decision to pack her bags and find other accomodation.
"The age I was and the way I moved in I didn't feel I could talk to anybody because who's going to believe a 17-year-old?
"I didn't tell them I was leaving until the day I moved out. On the day my rent was due I approached them and said I'm moving out.
"They replied "oh when?". I said now. so there was not chance of me staying there."
The Trial
Fred and Rose West were eventually caught by police charged with the murders of 12 young women.
Fred killed himself in prison before he faced trial and Rose plead not guilty to ten murders.
Jayne, a crucial witness during the trial, explained what it was like taking the stand:
"On the stand I just looked her Rose straight in the face because I had nothing to hide and I'd done nothing wrong.
"I needed her to see she wasn't scaring me.
"It was heart-wrenching coming out with what I had to tell them but I'm glad I did it.
"I felt relieved that I had been able to add a part to convict a person of such heinous murders."
Asked whether she thought any justice had been served for Fred, Jayne saod:
"I think that some justice was served but I also think that he should have stood trial with the women he loved."