Rebecca Middleton's mother Cindy Bennett spoke of her anguish yesterday after hearing details of her daughter's rape and murder recounted in Supreme Court.

"It was heart-wrenching. The sharp edge has gone but you still feel the pain," she commented during a break in proceedings aiming to get sex assault charges pressed against two suspects.

Mrs. Bennett, 55, has previously told how she is praying for the best in the case and has high hopes it will succeed.

Rebecca's father Dave Middleton, 58, said he was frustrated the Director of Public Prosecutions said nothing could be done to press press charges despite past mistakes in the case.

"They say it's a complete bungle but it's tough bananas, that's the law and get on with it," he said, summarising the case for the crown as he saw it.