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DNA match over boy's 1985 murder | DNA match over boy's 1985 murder |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Detectives believe they have solved the murder of a nine-year-old boy, 24 years after he was raped and strangled. | Detectives believe they have solved the murder of a nine-year-old boy, 24 years after he was raped and strangled. |
Imraan Vohra's body was found on 13 July 1985 in Avenham Park, Preston, Lancashire, two days after he went missing while walking home from school. | |
Police say they have now matched a DNA trace left by his killer to Robert Morley, who died in Essex in 1997. | Police say they have now matched a DNA trace left by his killer to Robert Morley, who died in Essex in 1997. |
DNA from a relative, who was on the national database after committing a serious offence, led police to Morley. | |
The scientists who conducted the DNA tests said there was a one in billion chance of the person responsible not being Morley, a father-of-seven. | |
Imraan was raped then murdered as he walked home from Frenchwood Junior School. | |
Det Ch Supt Graham Gardner said the killer's motive was "purely sexual" and that Imraan had been the victim of a "tragic and horrific" attack. | |
'Family haunted' | |
"He was a normal little boy, going about his business and playing in the park which many little boys do. | |
"His death has haunted his family for many years; throughout the investigation they have acted with a great deal of humility, and now I hope they can move on." | |
The murder sparked a thorough investigation, with more than 6,000 people contacted, 2,500 statements taken and hundreds of items of evidence stored on a computer database. | |
As a family we would have liked to have seen justice in the courts, but justice will be done hereafter Imraan Vohra's family | |
Police were not able to find the killer and the case remained open, but by 2001 forensic scientists had made considerable advancements in DNA profiling. | |
After re-examining some of the samples of DNA found on Imraan in 1985, and checking them against the millions of profiles on the national database, they were ultimately led to a member of Morley's family. | |
Morley, who died from lung cancer at the age of 62, had a string of minor offences including theft and indecent exposure on his record. | |
'Tireless work' | |
His last conviction was in 1985 and police said they had no previous evidence linking him to the young boy's murder. | His last conviction was in 1985 and police said they had no previous evidence linking him to the young boy's murder. |
Detectives now believe that Morley's DNA could help them solve other crimes. | |
Det Ch Supt Gardner added: "Many detectives and scientists have worked tirelessly on this very sad case for many years. | |
Imraan Vohra's family have thanked the police | |
"This result is as a consequence of that dedication and of advances in forensic science which have changed considerably, even since 2001. | "This result is as a consequence of that dedication and of advances in forensic science which have changed considerably, even since 2001. |
"The findings clearly point to the fact that Robert Morley is responsible for Imraan' s death and we are now endeavouring to find out more about his life in Preston. | "The findings clearly point to the fact that Robert Morley is responsible for Imraan' s death and we are now endeavouring to find out more about his life in Preston. |
"We already know that he lived at various addresses in Lancashire between 1979 and 1987 having moved to the area from London. | "We already know that he lived at various addresses in Lancashire between 1979 and 1987 having moved to the area from London. |
"At the time of Imraan' s murder he lived in Lancaster House in Avenham and was known as 'Bob'." | "At the time of Imraan' s murder he lived in Lancaster House in Avenham and was known as 'Bob'." |
The victim's family thanked the police and the community for their "persistence and hard work". | The victim's family thanked the police and the community for their "persistence and hard work". |
A family statement said: "As a family we would have liked to have seen justice in the courts, but justice will be done hereafter. | |
"Although Imraan's death will never go away, we would like to move forward and ask that our family be given privacy and respect at this difficult time." | "Although Imraan's death will never go away, we would like to move forward and ask that our family be given privacy and respect at this difficult time." |
Anyone with any information about the case, and in particular Morley, is asked to contact Lancashire Police. | Anyone with any information about the case, and in particular Morley, is asked to contact Lancashire Police. |