Roofer sentenced to life for 1997 murder of trans woman

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A 42-year-old man has been sentenced to life for the murder of a trans sex worker in London in 1997.

James Hopkins, of Bawn Drive, Farnley, Leeds will serve at least 17 years.

He was convicted on Monday at the Old Bailey. The jury’s verdict was unanimous.

Robyn Browne’s body was discovered in a flat in Gosfield Rd W1 on 28th February 1997. Police launched a murder inquiry.

Ms Browne, 23, died of multiple stab wounds. A sex worker, she had been undergoing gender reassignment surgery.

Hopkins was arrested in Leeds in June 2007, after being identified from a palm print left at the murder scene ten years previously.

The print had been left on the bedroom door of Ms Browne’s flat, as well as on a copy of The Sun newspaper, and another publication.

The Metropolitan police said the case was brought to trial following advancements in DNA and forensic techniques.

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