A builder form Regent’s Park has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 25 years for the rape and murder of a Cypriot teenager 34 years ago.
Yiannoulla Yianni
James Warnock, 56, strangled 17-year –old Yiannoulla Yianni in her own home in Belsize Road on August 13, 1982.
Warnock, who evaded justice for more than 30 years, was caught when his DNA was taken in December last year by Scotland Yard after he was arrested for sharing indecent pictures of children on the internet.
His DNA matched samples taken from the crime scene
In a statement, the family of the murdered teenager said: “For over half a lifetime, we have had to live with the daily torture of what happened to our daughter and sister Lucy.
“All who knew her, loved and adored her. Even through her death she deeply touched those involved in the investigation of her murder. We thank, from the bottom of our hearts, the police both past and present who have worked constantly and tirelessly to bring him to justice, especially those over the last six months. Our love and thanks to all who gave evidence and helped in this trial and to the family and friends who have supported us throughout.
“We now pray that we can move forward with the rest of our lives having some peace in knowing that her killer has been brought to justice and that a very dangerous man is no longer a threat to anyone else.”
