POLICE have charged a man with the murder of two women which happened more than 30 years ago.

David Fuller from Heathfield, East Sussex, was arrested on Thursday in connection with the deaths of Wendy Knell, 25, and Caroline Pierce, 20, both from Tunbridge Wells, in 1987.

Cold case detectives have charged the 66-year-old with two counts of murder and he has been remanded in custody to appear before Medway Magistrates' Court today.

Both victims were sexually assaulted, beaten and strangled, just months apart.

Shop manager Ms Knell, 25, was found sexually assaulted and beaten to death in her bedsit in Guildford Road,Tunbridge Wells, on June 23, 1987, after failing to turn up for work.

The Argus: Wendy KnellWendy Knell

There was no sign of a forced entry and police believe the killer broke in through a faulty back window.

Ms Knell's diary and keys with a distinctive Austrian keyring were missing and have never been found.

The second victim was killed five months later after being attacked outside her home in Grosvenor Park.

Ms Pierce was last seen at about midnight on November 24, 1987, when she was dropped off by a taxi at her home after a night out with friends.

Screams were heard outside the house and her naked body was later found by a farm worker in a drainage ditch 40 miles away on Romney Marsh on December 15 that year.

The killings, which became known as as the Bedsit murders, are two of Britain's longest unsolved murder cases.

The investigation is being led by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.

Assistant Chief Constable Tracey Harman said: "Whilst more than three decades have passed since these murders took place, I would urge anyone who has any information, no matter how minor or insignificant it may appear to be, to contact us."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kent Police online at kent.police.uk or by calling 01622 652 006, quoting case reference 46/YY/16746/20.

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. 

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