Similar attacks studied to catch killer

DETECTIVES who investigated the murder of Hannah Williams after her body was found in a disused cement works in Kent initially lacked enough evidence to charge their prime suspect, Robert Howard.

Although he entered the frame immediately after police discovered he was probably the last person to speak to the 14-year-old, there was little hard fact tying him to the crime. But weeks of careful and painstaking policing finally provided detectives with a breakthrough after they discovered Howard had brought another girl to the spot where the teenager was dumped.

Hannah’s body had lain undiscovered for almost a year and its decomposed state meant any forensic or medical evidence had been virtually destroyed. The only clue police had was a call made to Hannah’s mobile the day she disappeared. It lasted 13 seconds but ultimately led to her death.