DETECTIVES investigating the brutal murder of a Bournemouth woman four years ago have arrested and questioned a man as part of the ongoing inquiry.

The man, Danilo Restivo, aged 34, was detained early on Tuesday morning at his home in the Charminster area and quizzed for several hours by officers before being released on police bail the same evening.

The Daily Echo can reveal that he was specifically questioned about a number of incidents where woman travelling on buses in Bournemouth have had some of their hair cut off.

The arrest is the latest twist in the four year inquiry into the killing of Heather Barnett at her home in Capstone Road on November 12, 2002.

She was subjected to a savage attack with a hammer and a knife, her breasts were removed and strands of someone else's cut hair placed in her hand.

Heather's body was discovered by her two children when they returned from school that day.

The case has featured twice on the BBC's Crimewatch programme in the past few weeks and on an Italian version at the beginning of November.

On both programmes, the man leading the investigation, Detective Superintendent Phil James, appealed for any woman who had had their hair snipped off while travelling on buses to come forward.

The appeal prompted a huge response and a number of fresh leads.

Ten new women came forward in the Bournemouth area to offer information.

At the time, Det Supt James, who visited Italy in 2004 as part of the enquiries, told the Daily Echo: "The hair found in Heather's hand is the unique element in this inquiry and I need to know where it came from.

"We are looking for a match and that could be a big breakthrough in bringing Heather's killer to justice."

Officers believe there may be a link between Heather Barnett's death and the disappearance of a schoolgirl, Elisa Claps in Potenza, Italy, in September 1993. The Anti-Mafia police in Italy have also been looking at the two cases.

On Friday Det Supt James declined to comment on the latest development specifically but said: "I believe the hair in Heather's hand is the key to this whole inquiry. It is our greatest opportunity to solve the case."

In a brief statement, a Dorset police spokesman confirmed a man had been arrested and bailed pending further inquiries.

  • Anyone with information about the Heather Barnett murder is asked to contact Dorset police on 01202 222222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.