Jamie Bullen

jbullen@thekmgroup.co.uk

Detectives hunting 16-year-old Claire Tiltman’s killer are investigating fresh leads after an emotional appeal from her father.

Desperately ill Cliff Tiltman, 62, appealed for information last Wednesday from his nursing home on the 19th anniversary of his daughter’s death.

Former Dartford Grammar School student Claire was stabbed 40 times in an alleyway off the A226 London Road in Greenhithe, yards from her home in Woodward Terrace on January 18, 1993, between 6pm and 6.30pm.

Officers investigating the murder revealed new information had been received following the appeal from Mr Tiltman.

They said a number of phone calls had been made to the incident room and now new information is under investigation.

Detective Chief Inspector Rob Vinson, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "I have always maintained that the killer was a local person and that someone knows who he or she is.

"The breakthrough we need to unlock this case could be just one phone call away – and we have had a number of calls as a result of this latest appeal.

"I would like to thank everyone who has got in touch and would ask anyone else, who thinks they may have information, however small, to do the same.

"It would be wonderful to be able to tell Cliff that, after 19 years, we know who is responsible for this dreadful, motiveless crime."

Mr Tiltman said after the breakthrough: "It would mean everything to me to find out, after all these years, who did this to Claire."

If you can help, call the investigation team on 01634 884010 or Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.