Man Arrested Following DNA Profile Testing For Murder After 25-Year Investigation

25 Years ago, Colette Aram was raped and strangled whilst walking to her boyfriend’s house in Keyworth, Nottinghamshire. At the time the story was featured heavily on the BBC’s new programme Crimewatch. Police had found the 16-year-old hairdresser’s body in a field near her home; she had been sexually assaulted and strangled.

After the Crimewatch show had aired, police received more than 400 tip-offs and ruled out 1,500 suspects, but they never charged anyone with the murder.

New developments came about last year following advances in forensic technology, which enabled Nottinghamshire Police to develop a DNA profile of the suspected killer. Investigations led them to a pub in nearby Costock, named the Generous Briton, where it was deduced that the killer had stopped to have a drink after committing the murder.

Police could were able to show that both victim and killer had been spotted in a red Ford Fiesta on the day of her murder, and even believed that the killer had returned to the crime scene to observe police officers in their investigation.

An appeal was launched for the names of possible suspects who could be DNA tested. Following the appeal, 800 people were called in and DNA-swabbed, leading to police finally arresting a 50-year-old man in conjunction with the murder.

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April 2009