It won't be over until they catch all of them

Computer sales manager Julie Smailes, 27, was found stabbed and strangled at her home in Leadgate, near Consett, County Durham, in October 1996. Fires had been started in an attempt to destroy evidence.

Detectives at Durham Constabulary yesterday named double murder suspect John Thompson, 27, of Consett, as one of her killers following advances in forensic science.

The married father-of-three was found hanging from a tree in August 1998, only days after the battered body of babysitter Rachel Tough was discovered at his home.

An inquest ruled his death was suicide and that he had a "direct involvement" in 18-year-old Rachel's killing. She had been hit several times with a hammer.

Miss Smailes' mother, Joy Gilmour, told a Press conference yesterday: "It's bitter-sweet because it's not finished.

"However, I am happy that there is progress and I do believe eventually, I don't know how long, but there will be closure. It could be sooner rather than later."

Friends and family had insisted unemployed Thompson, who had served time for violence, was innocent of Miss Smailes' murder but advances in DNA techniques proved he was one of the killers.

Detective Superintendent Harry Stephenson said scientists were able to find a microscopic spot of Thompson's blood among samples of Miss Smailes' blood on a pillowcase from the bedroom where she was killed.

Another spot of his blood was found on the patio doors of her terraced home, which has been used as a point of entry by her killers.

Police believed a burglary was faked to try to make their investigation more difficult.

The detective said there was a one in a billion chance of the blood on the pillowcase not being Thompson's and one in a six million chance of the blood on the doors not being his.

Det Supt Stephenson, the fourth detective to lead the investigation, believed up to four people were present at Miss Smailes' home when she died.

He believed another man could have been involved in the killing with two more men connected to a clean-up operation.

Thompson was never arrested over the murder as he had strong alibis provided by family and acquaintances, said Det Supt Stephenson.

The suspect even drove to London where he was issued with a parking ticket at 10am on the morning Miss Smailes was discovered.

Det Supt Stephenson said: "If John Thompson was alive today, he would have been arrested by my team and subsequently charged with murder."

He had consulted the Crown Prosecution Service which told him in February that the evidence would have been sufficient to put Thompson on trial for murder.

He vowed to continue the inquiry until everyone responsible was brought to justice.

More samples were found at the crime scene and he hoped the Forensic Science Service would bring about a breakthrough.

"I feel certain Thompson was there when Julie was murdered and I am equally convinced he was not alone at the time she died," said Det Supt Stephenson.

"There are still people in the Consett area who are deliberately withholding important information.

"It is not too late for them to come forward and there is nothing to stop us arresting or re-arresting anyone should an opportunity present itself."

He said he had been provided with the names of the three other men he believed were involved in the killing.

Mrs Gilmour, who has moved to Co Donegal, Ireland, said she had recently left flowers at her daughter's grave on a visit to the North-East. "I still grieve," she said, "but I have come to terms with Julie's death. She is in my heart and her spirit is alive."

She urged witnesses to come forward. She said she knew they were in fear but that her daughter had felt real fear the night she died.

Mrs Gilmour, said: "I'm just begging anyone out there to come forward. There are people out there who know who is responsible."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0191-386 4929 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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