Detectives believe the former wheel clamper may be responsible for the abduction and murder of schoolgirl Amanda Dowler.

The 13-year-old, known as Milly, vanished while walking home from school in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, on March 21 2002.

Six months later her skeletal remains were found 30 miles away by mushroom pickers on Yateley Heath, Hampshire.

Officers have been painstakingly building a case against Bellfield since he was arrested by the Metropolitan Police in November 2004 over other matters.

Detectives hope the high-profile conclusion of the Old Bailey trial will create the breakthrough they desperately need.

The multimillion-pound Surrey Police investigation, codenamed Operation Ruby, could not be publicly linked to Bellfield while he faced other charges.

But it can be revealed today for the first time that Bellfield was arrested and interviewed over Milly's death three years ago.

Officers believe they have compelling circumstantial evidence that links him to the appalling crime and will soon interview him again.

They have relaunched their appeal for help to trace a red Daewoo Nexia captured on CCTV in Walton-on-Thames minutes after Milly disappeared. It can now be reported that a car of the same colour and model was owned by Bellfield's then girlfriend Emma Mills.