Eileen Cotter loss of life: DNA breakthrough sees pensioner John Apelgren convicted of killing intercourse employee virtually 50 years later

A person has been convicted of murdering a girl almost half a century in the past following a DNA breakthrough.

John Apelgren hit intercourse employee Eileen Cotter within the face, strangled her and threw her physique out of his automotive in Islington, north London, in 1974.

After interviewing 92 potential suspects on the time, the case went chilly till DNA was discovered on Ms Cotter’s physique in 2012.

Then, in 2019, there was a breakthrough when police took Apelgren’s DNA after he attacked his third spouse – the pattern was a match.

His ex-wife Anne additionally revealed she had been mistreated and that Apelgren had as soon as grabbed her neck with each palms.

She informed police she believed he was dishonest simply months after their 1972 marriage and later discovered he was sleeping together with her brother’s spouse.

Ex-cab driver Apelgren, from Sydenham in south London, declined to offer proof at his Old Bailey trial.

However, after 11 hours of deliberations the jury discovered him responsible of manslaughter and indecent assault – however not responsible of homicide.

The courtroom heard he was seen on the evening of the killing at a Finsbury Park hotdog stall the place Ms Cotter would typically go.

The 22-year-old lady was later discovered close to some garages, semi-naked with a black eye and bruising, and her underwear and tights had been pulled down.

A autopsy examination discovered she died of strangulation.

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Prosecutor Alexandra Healy KC informed the Old Bailey that Apelgren had intercourse with Ms Cotter earlier than attacking and strangling her.

“Having killed her, he pushed her out of his car. Her body was discovered in the position it fell, without shoes, and with her tights and underwear still around her right leg.”

The trial additionally heard that the killing got here two years after Apelgren allegedly indecently assaulted an 18-year-old visitor at his personal marriage ceremony.

Sentencing will happen at a later date.