Marsha suspect may never face court

The prime suspect arrested over the hammer murder of gap-year student Marsha McDonnell may never face prosecution because he is not mentally fit to answer questions.

Detectives say the 17-year-old — who is one of three important suspects — has suffered bouts of mental illness. They fear he may never be fit to appear in court.

Police also said no one had been charged with the murder because there is insufficient evidence.

Miss McDonnell, 19, was attacked with a blunt instrument only yards from the front door of her home in Hampton on 4 February. Detectives then discovered two other non-fatal attacks which have been linked to her killing.

Senior officers identified the suspect as the person they most wanted to speak to. He was arrested two months after the murder and has been held since under the Mental Health Act.

Extra officers on patrol in Hampton after the attack have returned to normal duties and police say there have been no further attacks in the area since the arrest.

Police have admitted the murder of millionaire computer tycoon Richard Watson is no longer being investigated.

Mr Watson was shot dead outside his five-bedroom farmhouse in East Grinstead, West Sussex in December 1996. The investigation was highly criticised after Mr Watson’s widow and stepdaughter were charged and then acquitted of the crime.