A 22-year-old Bradford man has been charged with the murder of Wibsey pensioner Amy Shepherd after a four-and-a-half-year police investigation.

The man, who has not yet been named, was charged at Bradford Central police station and will appear in court within the next few days.

Spinster Miss Shepherd, 86, was found dead in a pool of blood in her lounge at Folly Hall Gardens residential complex on August 2, 1994.

The pensioner, who had lived alone in the ground-floor flat for 14 years, had been strangled, stabbed and sexually assaulted. A post-mortem showed she died from serious head injuries.

Today a West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "In connection with the death of 86-year-old Amy Shepherd, a 22-year-old Bradford man has now been charged with her murder. The man will appear at court at a date to be fixed."

The charge follows a four-and-a-half year investigation. After repeated appeals for information detectives re-opened the inquiry last September.

An incident room was set up at Bradford Central police station with a team of ten detectives using DNA and computer techniques.

Detective Chief Inspector Michael Field, of Bradford Central CID, said: "Since the incident room was set up last year, there has been a steady flow of information from the public.

"The incident room is still open and eight detectives are still working on the inquiry. Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on Bradford 373133 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Miss Shepherd, a well-known figure in the Wibsey community, was secretary to the managing director at Baildon dyers and finishers William Denby and Son before her retirement.

The spinster's death sent shock waves through the community.

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