Man Denies 'Frenzied' 1993 Murder Of Teenager

A man convicted of two attacks on women has gone on trial accused of the murder of a Kent schoolgirl 21 years ago.

Claire Tiltman was stabbed nine times in a "frenzied and remorseless attack," a court heard.

She had celebrated her 16th birthday just four days before she was killed in 1993.

The prosecution in the trial of Colin Ash-Smith, 46, claims that while in jail for the other offences, he befriended and confessed to a fellow prisoner that he had killed the teenager.

Brian Altman QC told the jury at Inner London Crown Court: "This was a killing carried out by a ruthless predatory armed killer, who attacked his chosen victim rapidly and stealthily, allowing her no time for defence or escape."

Mr Altman said that passers-by who came to her aid initially thought she was the victim of a road accident, but nothing could be done to save her and she died from her wounds on the pavement in the North Kent town of Greenhithe.

He told the jury that Ash-Smith - a former milkman - had already stabbed, attempted to strangle, and tried to rape another local woman four years earlier. She had been lucky to survive. Ash-Smith pleaded guilty to the other attacks in 1996.

He said: "The killing of Claire Tiltman did not end his spree because two and a half years later, in October 1995, when he was 27, the defendant attacked and stabbed another local woman some 360m as the crows flies from where the prosecution say he attacked Claire Tiltman in 1993.

"To all intents and purposes Claire's killing was an entirely motiveless attack. There was no sexual interference and nothing was stolen from her.

"But to her killer Claire was a target for a completely senseless slaughter of an innocent young teenage girl, you might think for no better reason than the warped pleasure he derived from attacking a lone woman and the ultimate power and control it gave to him."

Mr Altman said police discovered journals entitled Assault Plans in which Ash-Smith bragged about his attacks.

Ms Tiltman had been taking her mock GCSE exams at the time of her murder. She had left home to visit her friend.

Ash-Smith has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. The trial is expected to last six weeks.

The trial continues.