23/02/2009

Serbian 'Boasted Of Jill Dando Revenge Murder'

Police investigating the murder of BBC television presenter Jill Dando, say they are examining new claims that she was killed by a Serbian gunman.

Several witnesses have come forward claiming they heard a West Midlands criminal of Serb descent confess to the killing of the Crimewatch presenter, in revenge for the Nato bombing of Belgrade.

It was reported in the Sunday Times that during a drinking session at an upmarket bar in the Serbian capital, the man said her murder was an act of revenge for the bombing in the city by Nato in 1999.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "We will look at any lines of inquiry as it remains an open case and nobody is in prison for the murder."

The tip-off about the alleged confession came from a call to the confidential Crimestoppers hotline, the paper added.

Barry George was acquitted of the 37-year-old's murder during a retrial last year. He spent eight years in prison for the crime.

Ms Dando was shot dead in broad daylight on the doorstep of her home in Fulham, west London, in April 1999.

She was killed by a single bullet to the head in an "execution-style" killing, experts said had all the marks of a 'professional' hitman.

(JM/BMcC)

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