Stalker 'link' to unsolved murders

Lyn Bryant was stabbed in 1998 while walking her dog

The stalking of a woman in a country lane could be linked to the unsolved murders of schoolgirl Kate Bushell and housewife Lyn Bryant, police have revealed.

Kate, 14, had her throat cut while walking a neighbour's dog along a country lane near Exeter, Devon, on 15 November 1997.

Mrs Bryant, 41, was stabbed to death as she walked her pet lurcher close to her home near Truro, Cornwall, on 20 October 1998.

In the latest incident, Carmen Boxwell, 46, was trailed for more than 300 yards by a man carrying a six-inch knife before her Alsatian Topsie barked and he ran off.

Kate Bushell's murder has never been solved

Police are now investigating whether the incident at 1930 BST on Sunday at Salcombe, Devon, is related to the murders.

Despite extensive investigations, both murders remain unsolved.

Mrs Boxwell, a married mother-of-two, was still recovering from her ordeal at her home in Salcombe on Monday.

"When I saw the knife in his hand I thought 'Oh no, he is going to kill me'," she said.

"I know in my heart he would have attacked me if Topsie had not been with me. She is very protective and I am sure she saved my life."

We cannot say at this stage that there is a definite link, but it is a possibility

Devon and Cornwall Police

Sergeant Dave Anning, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said the incident was being taken very seriously.

"There may be a link with the two murders. The similarities are that Lyn Bryant and Kate Bushell were murdered in rural areas while they were walking a dog and both were killed with knives," he said.

"Here we have a woman in a rural area followed while walking a dog by a man with a knife. We cannot say at this stage that there is a definite link, but it is a possibility."

Mr Anning said the two murder incident rooms were aware of the Salcombe incident, and 26 officers and the force helicopter had been sent out to investigate around the local area.

The suspect is described as white with a suntan, aged about 40 and clean shaven.

He got out of a dark blue Volvo car and was wearing green corduroy trousers and a blue sweatshirt.