THE family of murdered backpacker Grace Millane have welcomed plans to outlaw the “rough sex gone wrong” defence for murder cases.

Miss Millane, 22, from Wickford, was killed in New Zealand in December 2018 by a 26-year-old man who claimed she had died after being strangled during sex.

However, a jury saw through this and the defence was rejected, and he was unanimously convicted of her murder.

Minister Alex Chalk said it would be made clear in the upcoming Domestic Abuse Bill, due to come into force in England and Wales at some point this year, that the defence was not acceptable.

Miss Millane’s cousin Hannah O’Callaghan said it was "horrendous" to have to listen to her murderer’s lies in court.

She told the BBC: "It felt like Grace was on trial, yet not able to defend herself.

"It won't change things for us but hopefully it will stop any other family having to go through this.

"Men must not be allowed to use this defence as an excuse to kill women, knowing they can get a lesser sentence.

"Families won't have to sit and listen to only one side of the story while the victim is re-victimised and does not get the chance to tell their side."

Personal details about Miss Millane’s sex life were discussed in court and reported around the world.

Her family have said they wanted to create a positive legacy from her death. They have set up an initiative called “Love Grace x” to help domestic abuse victims.

They have donated thousands of handbags packed with toiletries to refuges across the world, and most recently have been making care packages for patients, nurses, doctors and carers during the coronavirus pandemic.