Fate of death house 'months away'

Dinah McNicol (l) and Vicky Hamilton both disappeared in 1991

A decision on whether to demolish the house where the bodies of two teenagers were found could take months.

The views of residents from the Millmead Estate, in Margate, Kent, are being sought about the future of the council house in Irvine Drive.

The bodies of Vicky Hamilton, 15, from near Falkirk, and Dinah McNicol, 18, from Essex, were found there last week.

The family who lived in the three-bedroom house have already said they will not return.

Nicola Downing and her family, who had lived at the house since 1995, have been rehoused by Thanet District Council.

Police investigations at the property are still continuing, with the focus of the search now on gathering evidence linked to the disappearance of the two teenagers, who vanished in 1991.

Vicky accused attacked in jail Death house fate in balance

Vicky was last seen in Bathgate, West Lothian, while Dinah failed to return home to Tillingham from a trip to Hampshire.

Peter Tobin, 61, has been charged in Scotland with the murder of Vicky.

He appeared at Linlithgow Sheriff Court last week and had been due to return to court on Thursday.

However, his appearance was cancelled after he was attacked in Edinburgh's Saughton jail on Wednesday evening, where he had been remanded in custody.

He needed hospital treatment, but the extent of his injuries are not known.

'Return to normality'

A spokeswoman for the Crown Office would not confirm that Tobin's non-appearance was directly linked to the attack.

An investigation into the incident is under way, and a man has been charged in connection with the assault.

A Thanet District Council spokeswoman said a meeting of ward councillors was taking place on Thursday to discuss the impact the police operation has had on the local area.

But she said no decisions would be taken on the future of the house.

Zita Wiltshire, cabinet member for housing, said: "The council's thoughts are with the families of the victims and nearby residents.

"We will not be taking any decisions on what will happen to the property until we have listened to the views of local people and had input from the victims' families.

"Any decision could take months and it's important for the local community to have a chance to return to normality."