New leads in hunt for suspected serial killer

Detectives investigating a vicious attack on a schoolgirl believe her assailant may also be responsible for several high-profile murders, including that of Milly Dowler.

Scotland Yard are following up "four or five" strong lines of inquiry after an appeal for information about the attempted murder of 18-year-old Kate Sheedy on Tuesday's Crimewatch. Ms Sheedy, a sixth-former at Gumley Convent School, was seriously injuredwhen she was deliberately run over near her home in Isleworth, west London.

The attack is the sixth to be linked to the murder of a 22-year-old French student, Amelie Delagrange, on nearby Twickenham Green last August. Police believe Ms Delagrange's killercould also have murdered a 19-year-old gap-year student, Marsha McDonnell, in nearby Hampton.

Four other attacks on women in south-west London have also been connected to Scotland Yard's Amelie inquiry, codenamed Operation Yeaddiss. Surrey Police are also examining possible links with the murder of the 13-year-old schoolgirl Milly Dowler.

The, Crimewatch appeal focused on CCTV footage of a car police believe could have been used in the attack in the early hours of 28 May last year.

Ms Sheedy had got off a bus opposite the County Arms pub in Worton Road, Isleworth, when she noticed a white people-carrier - thought to be a Toyota Previa - with blacked-out windows parked with its engine running. As she crossed the road, the vehicleheaded straight for her, running her over. The car then reversed over her before driving off.

Despite multiple fractures and serious internal injuries,Ms Sheedy made a full recovery.

Anyone who has information is asked to contact police on 020 8247 7911 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. (PA)