Man charged with rape and murder of schoolgirl in 1982

Yiannoulla Yianni was found dead by her parents at the family home in 1982. Credit: Met Police/PA Archive/PA Images

A 56-year-old man has been charged with the rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl who was killed in 1982.

James Warnock, of Harrington Street, north London, was arrested on Tuesday and will appear at Hendon Magistrates Court today.

Yiannoulla Yianni was sexually assaulted and strangled at her family's home in Hampstead, north London, 34 years ago. Her body was found by her parents.

On the day she died, Friday August 13th 1982, Yiannoulla had spent the morning at home with her mother, and at around 12.30pm they walked together to the family's shop nearby to take the teenager's father lunch.

At 1.30pm she returned home alone to prepare dinner while her mother stayed at the shop. When her parents returned home at around 3pm they found her dead.

Yiannoulla attended Quintin Kynaston School in St John's Wood. Credit: Met Police/PA Archive/PA Images

Since Yiannoulla's death more than 1,000 witness statements have been taken, there have also been a series of public appeals for information and a reward offered.