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| Claire Tiltman murderer Colin Ash-Smith sentenced to life | Claire Tiltman murderer Colin Ash-Smith sentenced to life |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Colin Ash-Smith has been jailed for life for murdering Kent schoolgirl Claire Tiltman in 1993. | Colin Ash-Smith has been jailed for life for murdering Kent schoolgirl Claire Tiltman in 1993. |
| Claire was stabbed repeatedly in an alleyway in Greenhithe while on the way to visit a friend. | Claire was stabbed repeatedly in an alleyway in Greenhithe while on the way to visit a friend. |
| Colin Ash-Smith, 46, was already serving three life sentences for previous attacks on two women. | Colin Ash-Smith, 46, was already serving three life sentences for previous attacks on two women. |
| Ash-Smith was told he would spend a minimum of 21 years behind bars by the judge at the Inner London Crown Court where he was found guilty on Thursday. | Ash-Smith was told he would spend a minimum of 21 years behind bars by the judge at the Inner London Crown Court where he was found guilty on Thursday. |
| Judge Mr Justice Sweeney said: "This was a premeditated murder. Your intention was to kill. | Judge Mr Justice Sweeney said: "This was a premeditated murder. Your intention was to kill. |
| "You took a knife to the scene for the purpose, and Claire was vulnerable by reason of her circumstances." | "You took a knife to the scene for the purpose, and Claire was vulnerable by reason of her circumstances." |
| Ash-Smith was not in court for his sentencing. | Ash-Smith was not in court for his sentencing. |
| He was first questioned in 1995 as a suspect in Claire's murder but was only charged earlier this year, on the same day he was due to be considered for release by the parole board while serving his sentences for the two other attacks. | |
| During the trial Brian Altman QC, prosecuting, said the former milkman got a "warped pleasure" from the "savage" attack on Claire. | |
| "This was a killing for the sake of killing, carried out by a ruthless and predatory armed killer, who attacked his chosen victim rapidly and stealthily, allowing her no time for defence or escape," he said. | |
| Kent Police detectives found "assault plans" in which Ash-Smith wrote details of his plans to attack women. He also told of his "psycho state of mind". | |
| He described himself as an "animal", plagued by a hatred of women whom he said "humiliated" him. | |
| During his trial, Ash-Smith admitted going on midnight walks, armed with knives while on the hunt for victims. | |
| However, he denied attacking Claire, and even attended her funeral wearing the same beige jacket he wore the night of the murder. | |
| Claire's parents, Linda and Cliff, died before her killer could be brought to justice. |