DNA match over boy's 1985 murder

Robert Morley lived in Preston when Imraan was killed

Detectives believe they have solved the murder of a nine-year-old boy, 24 years after he was raped and strangled.

Imraan Vohra's body was found on 13 July 1985 in Avenham Park, Preston, Lancashire, two days after he went missing while walking home from school.

Police say they have now matched a DNA trace left by his killer to Robert Morley, who died in Essex in 1997.

DNA from a relative, who was on the national database after committing a serious offence, led police to Morley.

The scientists who conducted the DNA tests said there was a one in billion chance of the person responsible not being Morley, a father-of-seven.

Imraan was raped then murdered as he walked home from Frenchwood Junior School.

Det Ch Supt Graham Gardner said the killer's motive was "purely sexual" and that Imraan had been the victim of a "tragic and horrific" attack.

'Family haunted'

"He was a normal little boy, going about his business and playing in the park which many little boys do.

"His death has haunted his family for many years; throughout the investigation they have acted with a great deal of humility, and now I hope they can move on."

The murder sparked a thorough investigation, with more than 6,000 people contacted, 2,500 statements taken and hundreds of items of evidence stored on a computer database.

As a family we would have liked to have seen justice in the courts, but justice will be done hereafter Imraan Vohra's family

Police were not able to find the killer and the case remained open, but by 2001 forensic scientists had made considerable advancements in DNA profiling.

After re-examining some of the samples of DNA found on Imraan in 1985, and checking them against the millions of profiles on the national database, they were ultimately led to a member of Morley's family.

Morley, who died from lung cancer at the age of 62, had a string of minor offences including theft and indecent exposure on his record.

'Tireless work'

His last conviction was in 1985 and police said they had no previous evidence linking him to the young boy's murder.

Detectives now believe that Morley's DNA could help them solve other crimes.

Det Ch Supt Gardner added: "Many detectives and scientists have worked tirelessly on this very sad case for many years.

Imraan Vohra's family have thanked the police

"This result is as a consequence of that dedication and of advances in forensic science which have changed considerably, even since 2001.

"The findings clearly point to the fact that Robert Morley is responsible for Imraan' s death and we are now endeavouring to find out more about his life in Preston.

"We already know that he lived at various addresses in Lancashire between 1979 and 1987 having moved to the area from London.

"At the time of Imraan' s murder he lived in Lancaster House in Avenham and was known as 'Bob'."

The victim's family thanked the police and the community for their "persistence and hard work".

A family statement said: "As a family we would have liked to have seen justice in the courts, but justice will be done hereafter.

"Although Imraan's death will never go away, we would like to move forward and ask that our family be given privacy and respect at this difficult time."

Anyone with any information about the case, and in particular Morley, is asked to contact Lancashire Police.