Fabric could be clue to girl's murder

Sarah was abducted from near her grandparents' home

LITTLEHAMPTON, England -- Police hunting the killer of an eight-year-old girl five months ago believe they have found part of the dress she was wearing on the day she disappeared.

Sarah Payne was abducted from farmland close to her grandparents' home near Littlehampton, West Sussex, on July 1.

After a nationwide hunt, her naked body was found two weeks later, dumped 10 miles from where she vanished.

Sussex Police said on Sunday a search team had found a shoe and a small portion of blue material which could be part of the dress worn by Sarah.

The discovery was made recently after a woman told police she recalled seeing children's clothing on the road in West Sussex, within hours of Sarah's abduction. Recent publicity about Sarah's disappearance had reminded her of the incident.

The shoe and fabric were found about a mile from where Sarah's body was later found.

Police believe they were thrown from a moving vehicle by her killer some time on July 2 this year.

Sarah's murder provoked national outrage and sparked a national campaign for tougher laws against paedophiles.

Her parents spearheaded a campaign for the introduction of 'Sarah's Law' -- similar to 'Megan's Law' in the U.S. -- to give parents the right to information about convicted sex offenders living in their neighbourhood.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Police appeal for key witness in Sarah murder
September 8, 2000
Emotion charged memorial service for murdered schoolgirl
August 12, 2000

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