Latest news with #CambridgeshireandHertfordshire
The Independent
19-03-2025
- The Independent
Police reopen student nurse rape case 30 years later
Police are renewing a hunt for a man who raped a woman in Watford more than three decades ago. The Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire (BCH) Major Crime Unit has re-opened the cold case, which happened in nursing accommodation at Watford General Hospital on 16 April 1991. Police understand that the offender broke into the victim's room by climbing onto a first-floor flat roof and entering through a window which had been left ajar. The perpetrator threatened to kill the victim, a student nurse who was in her early thirties at the time, before raping her. The offender, described as a white man between 5 foot 8 and six foot tall who would now be in his mid-fifties, is believed to have made off in the direction of Cassiobury Drive via the undergrowth and wooded area. He wore a long-sleeved grey jumper with a 'distinctive red and blue diamond pattern' on it and was in possession of a knife with a white handle. Detective Inspector Caeva Taylor, senior investigating officer, said: 'A sample of DNA was taken from the crime scene in 1991, and it was uploaded it to the national DNA Database, but to date we have not found an exact match. 'We never give up on cases like these, and we're now trying a new approach known as familial searching.' Officers are speaking to people with a similar DNA barcode to the perpetrator, but they stressed that these people were not suspects. 'They may be able to lead us to the offender – in other words, they may be related to him.' The force added they were only carrying out these DNA searches for this crime and they weren't allowed to use it to assist with other investigations. DI Taylor continued: 'I want to take this opportunity to appeal to anyone who either worked or lived in the area around Watford General Hospital, or Cassiobury Drive, in April 1991. 'If you recognise the description of the offender or know any information that may assist with our ongoing investigation, please contact us.' Police asked that anyone with more information report it online or speak to an operator in their Force Communications Room via the online web chat. People can also call the non-emergency number 101 and quote 'Op Otterington.'
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Yahoo
Police reveal route of car linked to fatal shooting
Police have released a reconstruction video showing the route of a suspect car on the night of a fatal shooting. Mustapha Jatta, 30, from Nottingham, died shortly after being found with serious gunshot injuries in the village of Kings Langley on 17 September. Hertfordshire Police said it believed his death was linked to a white Volkswagen Golf which was found on fire 15 minutes later. Five people arrested in connection with the shooting were released on police bail in October. Police said Mr Jatta, a father of young children, was shot on Railway Terrace at about 00:33 BST. He was pronounced dead at the scene moments later. Shortly after 00:45 BST, police received reports of the Volkswagen Golf on fire in Furtherfield, Abbots Langley. Det Insp Adam Bridges, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire (BCH) Major Crime Unit, said officers had been "working tirelessly" to try and identify Mr Jatta's killers. "It has now been six months since Mustapha was murdered," he said. "Officers will be in the local area this week to speak to residents and businesses as part of our six-month anniversary appeal, because we are keen to hear from anyone who may have information but has not already spoken to police." In the reconstruction video, Det Insp Bridges said it appeared Mr Jatta had arranged to meet the people in the car. "For this reason we believe the suspects and the victim knew each other, and this was an organised shooting" he added. The car was thought to have "fled the scene at speed" along Railway Terrace and Primrose Hill, before it was discovered on fire. Crimestoppers, which allows people to report crimes anonymously, has offered a £20,000 reward for information which would help bring Mr Jatta's killers to justice. The reward expires on 13 June. Annabelle Goodenough, the charity's regional manager, said: "Mustapha's life was tragically cut short, and our charity would like to get justice for his family and friends." Police said anyone with information about the shooting could also contact the force. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Five arrested after fatal shooting in village Murder investigation launched after shots heard Reward of £20k offered in fatal shooting inquiry Hertfordshire Police Crimestoppers
