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Claire Tiltman murder: Colin Ash-Smith jailed for life for 1993 killing of schoolgirl | Claire Tiltman murder: Colin Ash-Smith jailed for life for 1993 killing of schoolgirl |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A "predatory armed killer" has been jailed for life for the murder of schoolgirl Claire Tiltman more than 20 years ago after he was found guilty of the killing this week. | |
Colin Ash-Smith, 46, has been told he must serve a minimum of 21 years in prison for the "frenzied and remorseless" attack. | Colin Ash-Smith, 46, has been told he must serve a minimum of 21 years in prison for the "frenzied and remorseless" attack. |
The former milkman stabbed Claire to death in an alleyway near her home in Greenhithe, Kent, four days after her 16th birthday. | The former milkman stabbed Claire to death in an alleyway near her home in Greenhithe, Kent, four days after her 16th birthday. |
Today's sentence will mean Ash-Smith, who is already serving life for attacks on two other women, will be 67 before he is considered for release. | Today's sentence will mean Ash-Smith, who is already serving life for attacks on two other women, will be 67 before he is considered for release. |
He was first questioned as a suspect in 1995. Claire's parents, Linda and Cliff, were convinced Ash-Smith was their daughter's killer. | He was first questioned as a suspect in 1995. Claire's parents, Linda and Cliff, were convinced Ash-Smith was their daughter's killer. |
Colin Ash-Smith attending the funeral of Claire Tiltman (PA) | Colin Ash-Smith attending the funeral of Claire Tiltman (PA) |
They died however before he was charged with her murder. | They died however before he was charged with her murder. |
Sentencing Ash-Smith today, Judge Mr Justice Sweeney said: "I have no doubt that this was a premeditated murder that you carried out because of the feeling of power that it gave you. | |
"In so doing, you not only ended Claire's young life which was so full of promise, but you also caused unbearable grief and upset to her family and friends." | "In so doing, you not only ended Claire's young life which was so full of promise, but you also caused unbearable grief and upset to her family and friends." |
He added: "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." | He added: "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." |
Ash-Smith, who chose not to attend Inner London Crown Court to hear his fate, escaped being handed a "life means life" sentence, Mr Justice Sweeney said, as he had to sentence him on the basis of law as it stood at the time of the murder. | Ash-Smith, who chose not to attend Inner London Crown Court to hear his fate, escaped being handed a "life means life" sentence, Mr Justice Sweeney said, as he had to sentence him on the basis of law as it stood at the time of the murder. |
Ash-Smith was branded "pure evil" by police, while prosecutors said he got a "warped pleasure" out of attacking women. | Ash-Smith was branded "pure evil" by police, while prosecutors said he got a "warped pleasure" out of attacking women. |
File photo from 2010 of Cliff Tiltman holding a picture of his daughter Claire Tiltman, who was killed on January 18 1993, just four days after her 16th birthday (PA) | File photo from 2010 of Cliff Tiltman holding a picture of his daughter Claire Tiltman, who was killed on January 18 1993, just four days after her 16th birthday (PA) |
The trial heard how Ash-Smith killed Claire as part of a "spree" of attacks on females across Kent. | The trial heard how Ash-Smith killed Claire as part of a "spree" of attacks on females across Kent. |
The self-confessed "animal" with "no moral compass" was plagued by a hatred of women, who he felt "humiliated" him. | The self-confessed "animal" with "no moral compass" was plagued by a hatred of women, who he felt "humiliated" him. |
Asked why he attacked, he said: "I wanted to feel empowered, that I had control over someone, that I wasn't a doormat." | Asked why he attacked, he said: "I wanted to feel empowered, that I had control over someone, that I wasn't a doormat." |
In 1988, he attempted to rape and murder a young mother in a quarry. | In 1988, he attempted to rape and murder a young mother in a quarry. |
He struck again in 1995, stabbing 22-year-old Charlotte Barnard 14 times just yards from where he killed Claire. | He struck again in 1995, stabbing 22-year-old Charlotte Barnard 14 times just yards from where he killed Claire. |
He was handed three life terms in 1996 and ordered to serve 15 years for the attacks. | He was handed three life terms in 1996 and ordered to serve 15 years for the attacks. |
He was charged with Claire's murder earlier this year, on the day he was due to be considered for release by the Parole Board. | He was charged with Claire's murder earlier this year, on the day he was due to be considered for release by the Parole Board. |
At today's sentencing hearing, the judge said Claire had an "engaging and lively personality" and was "extremely popular, with a wide circle of friends". | |
Around a dozen of her schoolfriends were in the public gallery today to hear the sentence. | Around a dozen of her schoolfriends were in the public gallery today to hear the sentence. |
The judge commended Claire's family and friends who sat through the trial, and the police for their work in bringing her killer to justice. | The judge commended Claire's family and friends who sat through the trial, and the police for their work in bringing her killer to justice. |
He said: "I would also like to commend the members of Claire's family and her friends who have attended this trial for the dignified way in which they have conducted themselves. | He said: "I would also like to commend the members of Claire's family and her friends who have attended this trial for the dignified way in which they have conducted themselves. |
"And I express my sorrow for the burden they have had to carry for many years at Claire's untimely loss." | "And I express my sorrow for the burden they have had to carry for many years at Claire's untimely loss." |
Claire was stabbed at least nine times as she as she walked to her friend's house in Greenhithe to talk about college options. | Claire was stabbed at least nine times as she as she walked to her friend's house in Greenhithe to talk about college options. |
The Dartford Grammar School pupil had just finished her mock GCSEs and had dreams of becoming a firefighter. | The Dartford Grammar School pupil had just finished her mock GCSEs and had dreams of becoming a firefighter. |
Her life however was cut short when she was attacked by Ash-Smith, whom she knew through the local British Legion Club, on 18 January, 1993. | Her life however was cut short when she was attacked by Ash-Smith, whom she knew through the local British Legion Club, on 18 January, 1993. |
Ash-Smith then attended her funeral with his councillor parents a month later in the same beige jacket he wore when he killed her. | Ash-Smith then attended her funeral with his councillor parents a month later in the same beige jacket he wore when he killed her. |
Mr Justice Sweeney said the tireless efforts of Claire's family and friends kept the pressure on to track down her killer. | Mr Justice Sweeney said the tireless efforts of Claire's family and friends kept the pressure on to track down her killer. |
He said: "The efforts of Claire's family and friends kept her murder in the public conscience, and thanks to the recent re-activation of the inquiry by Kent police, further evidence came to light and you have finally been brought to justice." | He said: "The efforts of Claire's family and friends kept her murder in the public conscience, and thanks to the recent re-activation of the inquiry by Kent police, further evidence came to light and you have finally been brought to justice." |
Additional reporting by PA | Additional reporting by PA |
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