Police following ‘strong leads’ in Sally Anne murder

Detectives investigating the murder of teenage model Sally Anne Bowman have said they are following up a number of ‘strong leads’ after an appeal on BBC One’s ‘Crimewatch’ show.

Police said over 100 calls from members of the public were received after the show, revealing information including the names of possible suspects and details of similar attacks.

CCTV footage of the eighteen-year-old model on the night she was killed was shown on Crimewatch last night. Sally Anne, who was dressed in a white corset top and blue denim mini skirt, was seen with friends in Lloyds Bar in Croydon, south London.

The footage showed Sally Anne leave the bar around 1am, but she was later captured on footage returning to the area outside the bar around 2am. She was picked up by her ex-boyfriend, Lewis Sproston, who is not a suspect, who dropped her at her home in Blenheim Crescent, in Croydon.

Police believe that the killer attacked Miss Bowman shortly after Mr Sproston left the scene, between 4:15 and 4:30am.

Sally Anne’s body was found later that morning, just yards from her home. She had been sexually assaulted and stabbed.

Police believe that the killer may have been waiting for her outside her home. It is believed that he may have attacked and robbed another woman in the same area around an hour before Sally Anne was attacked.

Police said that a serial sex attacker may be behind the murder and may be responsible for around six other assaults. Forensic evidence found at the murder scene has been linked to another sexual assault in Purley, Surrey in 2001.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Cundy, who is leading the murder inquiry, said that there was a “strong chance” that an attack on a woman in 2000 could also be linked to Sally Anne’s murder.

An e-fit of the suspect, compiled with the help of the woman who was attacked and robbed prior to the murder, has also been released. The suspect is described as white, in his twenties or thirties, between 5ft 9in and 6ft, of medium build, with short brown hair.

A reward of £20,000 has also been offered to anyone with any information that leads to the capture of Sally Anne’s murderer.

(KMcA)