A SUSPECT is to face court charged with murdering two women more than thirty years ago.

David Fuller from Heathfield, East Sussex, was charged on Friday in connection with the deaths of Wendy Knell, 25, and Caroline Pierce, 20, in 1987.

The 66-year-old appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court yesterday for his first hearing.

He spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth, and wore a grey tracksuit and sweatshirt as he was escorted into court in handcuffs by two police officers.

Fuller did not give pleas to the two counts of murder and the case has been committed to Maidstone Crown Court, where he is due to appear on Tuesday.

The Argus: Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce were murdered a few months apart in 1987Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce were murdered a few months apart in 1987

The two victims, who were both from Tunbridge Wells, were sexually assaulted, beaten and strangled just five months apart, and officers made connections between the murders.

Despite a big investigation at the time, the killings are one of the longest unsolved double murder cases in Britain.

Shop manager Ms Knell was found sexually assaulted and beaten to death in her bedsit in Guildford Road in the town on June 23, 1987, after she failed to turn up for work.

She had spent the previous evening at her boyfriend’s house and had been dropped home at about 11pm.

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

The Argus: Wendy Knell was found dead in her flat in Tunbridge WellsWendy Knell was found dead in her flat in Tunbridge Wells

The second victim was killed five months later after being attacked outside her home in Grosvenor Park, just a mile away from Ms Knell’s home.

Ms Pierce was last seen at about midnight on November 24, 1987, when she was dropped off by a taxi 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 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 at kent.police.uk or by calling 01622 652 006, quoting case reference 46/YY/16746/20, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.