Fareham man arrested in 30-year-old murder investgation

The 58-year-old man from Fareham was arrested this morning following the murder of Sally McGrath in Peterborough.

Her naked body was discovered in March 1980, eight months after she vanished.

The 22-year-old had been killed by a blow to the head, and was partially buried when her body was discovered.

The man, who will be taken to Cambridgeshire to be questioned, will also be quizzed in connection with a number of rapes and attempted rapes throughout the 1970s.

The arrest is part of Operation Highfields, a so-called 'cold case' review of Miss McGrath's death.

"It follows a cold case review, codenamed Operation Highfields, into the killing of Peterborough woman Sally McGrath and seven other linked serious sexual offences."

Police said Miss McGrath was last seen alive at about 3pm on July 11 1979, at the Bull Hotel in Westgate, Peterborough, in the company of a man.

The spokesman said her body, naked except for a pair of boots, was found on March 1 1980, partially buried in Wild Boar Spinney, at Castor Hanglands, to the west of Peterborough.

A post-mortem examination revealed she died from a blunt force injury to her head, said police.

Investigating officer, Detective Superintendent Jeff Hill, said: "These were shocking crimes in which a young woman was brutally murdered and other young women were seriously sexually assaulted.

"My team is dedicated to ensuring that no stone is left unturned as we gather further evidence in relation to these awful crimes.

"No unsolved crime is ever closed and this operation is part of an ongoing review of cold case murder investigations within the county.

"We are committed in our efforts to secure justice for Sally and her family but we also need help from members of the public. Anyone with information about Sally's disappearance and murder should not hesitate to call us.

"Sally's family and the rape victims have been kept fully informed of our investigation and will continue to be as it progresses."