French trip girl unlawfully killed

Caroline Dickinson 's killer has never been caught

An inquest into the death of a schoolgirl who was raped and murdered while on a school trip to France has recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.

Thirteen-year-old Caroline Dickinson, from Launceston in Cornwall, was attacked and suffocated on 18 July 1996 as she lay sleeping in a youth hostel dormitory alongside four other girls.

On Thursday, the coroner at Bodmin Magistrates Court described her murder as "a criminal offence of the utmost gravity".

Despite extensive investigations by the French authorities, involving the DNA testing of more than 3,500 men, Caroline's killer has never been caught.

Father's search

Caroline's father John Dickinson, 43, who has made 18 trips to France to appeal for information to help catch his daughter's killer, attended the inquest.

Two French officers and a French judge were also present alongside British police officers.

John Dickinson: Many trips to France

Caroline had been staying at the hostel in the village of Pleine Fougeres in Brittany as part of a school trip with Launceston Community College.

The four girls who were in Caroline's dormitory the night she was killed did not give evidence at the hearing.

Caroline's mother Sue Dickinson brought a civil claim over Caroline's death against Cornwall County Council last year.

But her claim of negligence and breach of duty against the local education authority was rejected by a judge.