Greenhithe: Appearance Over Schoolgirl Death

A man accused of murdering a schoolgirl who was stabbed to death more than 20 years ago entered no plea when he appeared in court.

Colin Ash-Smith, 45, who allegedly killed 16-year-old Claire Tiltman in an alleyway off the A226 London Road in Greenhithe, Kent, on January 18, 1993, appeared at the Old Bailey via videolink from prison for a plea and case management hearing today.

The Dartford Grammar School pupil was wounded more than 40 times as she took a short cut to visit a friend, four days after her 16th birthday.

Both of Claire's parents have died since her death - her mother Lin died aged 56 in 2008, and her father Cliff died in September 2012.

The killing is one of Kent Police's longest-running unsolved cases and it has been subject to a number of reviews by cold case detectives.

Ash-Smith was remanded in custody and his trial is expected to begin on November 3.