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The murder of Claire Tiltman who was stabbed to death in Greenhithe will feature in new documentary Murdertown tonight

00:01, 10 September 2018

updated: 10:28, 10 September 2018

A documentary on the Crime & Investigation channel will feature the murder of Claire Tiltman tonight.

Murdertown will focus on the tragic killing of Claire, who was just 16 when she was stabbed to death in an alleyway off London Road, Greenhithe, in a frenzied attack in January 1993.

The programme is hosted by Happy Valley, Corrie and Mr Selfridge actress Katherine Kelly.

The show is hosted by Katherine Kelly, credit Justin Downing
The show is hosted by Katherine Kelly, credit Justin Downing

Colin Ash-Smith, was jailed for the murder two decades after first being questioned by police.

The episode tells the story of the murder when her body was found with multiple stab wounds beside the busy main road, her friends and family were devastated.

A murder enquiry was launched, but initially drew a blank.

Officers suspected the killer was local, and Claire’s family feared the killer was someone they knew.

Colin Ash-Smith, was found guilty of the murder of Claire Tiltman, picture Kent Police
Colin Ash-Smith, was found guilty of the murder of Claire Tiltman, picture Kent Police

But for years Colin Ash-Smith remained in the shadows.

The show explores how the serial attacker was eventually snared by police, but explains it took more than 20 years to convict him.

Ash-Smith, was 24 at the time of Claire's murder and was a predatory killer and was been jailed for life for killing the schoolgirl and must serve a minimum of 21 years.

He was found guilty of the crime in December 2014, and was already serving life for attacks on two other women, Ash-Smith killed Claire four days after she turned 16.

Claire Tiltman
Claire Tiltman

The former milkman, now 49, was first questioned as a suspect in 1995. Claire’s parents, Linda and Cliff, were convinced he was the killer but they died before he was charged.

The show features contributions from senior police officers, Claire’s friends, and witnesses from the time, and the episode is a revealing exploration into the most shocking murder ever to strike the community.

Claire's murder features in episode two of the gripping ten part series.

Each episode sees Katherine tell the compelling, step-by-step stories of some of the most shocking murders in the UK and examines the impact they had on local communities around them.

Murdertown, an An Endemol Shine North production, starts at 9pm.

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