A man is to be charged with the murder of a 16 year-old schoolgirl more than 20 years ago.
No-one has ever been charged over the death of Claire Tiltman in Greenhithe, Kent in 1993.
The Crown Prosecution Service yesterday announced that Colin Ash-Smith, 45, would be formally charged with the murder on February 28.
The decision comes after a renewed and lengthy police investigation and 15-month review of the case by the CPS.
Nigel Pilkington, of the CPS said: “In November 2012 I received a file of evidence from the Kent and Essex serious crime directorate relating to the murder of Claire Tiltman on January 18 1993.
“The investigation by the police has been a lengthy and complex one.
“Following further investigation, my review of all the evidence in the case has now been completed and I have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and that it is in the public interest to prosecute Colin Ash-Smith, 45, for the murder of Claire Tiltman.
“Mr Ash-Smith will appear at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on February 28 via video link.”
Detective Superintendent Rob Vinson of the Kent and Essex cold case team, said: “Claire Tiltman’s unsolved death is one of the longest-running cases for Kent Police and has remained in the forefront of the minds of investigating officers for over two decades.
“Colin Ash-Smith is now to be brought before a court following our investigations and subsequent consultation with the CPS.”
Both of Claire’s parents have died since her murder.
