A Camden builder who raped and killed a Hampstead schoolgirl 34 years ago has been told he faces at least 25 years behind bars.

Ham & High: Yiannoulla Yianni was raped and murdered by James WarnockYiannoulla Yianni was raped and murdered by James Warnock (Image: Archant)

James Warnock, 56, was given a life sentence at the Old Bailey this morning.

He will serve a minimum term of 25 years before he is eligible for parole.

Father-of-two Warnock was convicted by a jury for the 1982 rape and murder of 17-year-old Yiannoulla Yianni.

The teenager was killed at her family home in Belsize Road on August 13, 1982.

Warnock was eventually charged after DNA evidence linked him to the murder.

He had been arrested in December for six counts of possessing and distributing indecent images of children - charges which he pleaded guilty to on Friday.

Aisling Hosein, CPS London reviewing lawyer, said: “More than three decades since this terrible crime, James Warnock has finally been brought to justice.

“Warnock has callously maintained his innocence throughout the case and even insisted that he had a sexual relationship with Yiannoulla in the weeks leading up to her death.

“He also claimed that he had not heard anything of Yiannoulla’s murder at the time, despite the high profile investigation.

“This was completely implausible and his claims of a relationship were contradicted by the evidence.

“I would like to thank Yiannoulla’s family for their support of the prosecution and for giving evidence in court, which must have been a harrowing experience after 34 years.

“Warnock’s continuing lies have only served to cause more pain to the family but I hope that his conviction today can bring them some small comfort.

“This conviction should send a strong message that people who commit such serious crimes can be brought to justice many years later and we are committed to working with our police partners to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.”