A 70-year-old man from south Essex has been arrested over the rape and murder of a young girl that took place 40 years ago.

Kim Roberts, seven, from Stepney, East London, was reported missing on Sunday, March 1, 1964.

A massive police investigation was launched after her body was found in Watts Wood, Purfleet, three days later.

Her killer was never caught but a police spokesman said yesterday: "A man from South East Essex has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a seven-year-old London girl who was killed in the 1960s. The man, who is in his 70s, was arrested at his home address this morning."

They could not be more specific for operational reasons, but indicated the case had been reopened after four decades.

Published Friday June 18, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Echo