South Wales Police’s Specialist Crime Review Unit has been investigating the murder of 12 year-old Muriel Drinkwater whose body was found in Penllergaer Woods, Swansea in 1946.

As part of the investigation forensic evidence has been re-examined and officers have considered theories that convicted murderer Harold Jones was responsible for the death of Muriel.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Lewis, head of the Specialist Crime Review Unit said: “The results of the forensic examination categorically confirm that Jones was not responsible for the murder of Muriel Drinkwater.

“Due to advances in forensic technology we have been able to look again at evidence from the murder in 1946 and I am now able to rule out Harold Jones completely as a suspect in this case.

“I have spoken to Muriel’s family and bring them up to date with the latest details of this investigation.

“All historic murder cases, often referred to in the media as ‘cold cases,’ are allocated to the Specialist Crime Review Unit and remain under active consideration and will be subject of re-investigation as and when new information is received or when there are advances in forensic science.

“Each case is reviewed periodically. If information comes in from the public or other forces we act on it.”