August 1989
Robert Napper gains entry to a house on Plumstead Common, south-east London, and rapes a 31-year-old woman at knifepoint. He wears a mask
November 1989
Napper's mother Pauline calls police to say her son told her he had raped a woman on Plumstead Common. No link made. Napper never questioned
10 March 1992
Attempted rape of a 17-year-old girl on Green Chain Walk in Hither Green, south-east London
18 March 1992
Another 17-year-old girl suffers attempted rape at knifepoint on Green Chain Walk
24 May 1992
A 22-year-old blond mother is raped on Green Chain Walk. She has a child with her
15 July 1992
Rachel Nickell, 23, is stabbed to death 12 miles away on Wimbledon Common
27 August 1992
Neighbour calls police to say Napper looks like photofit of Green Chain rapist. Napper fails to turn up to give blood sample
3 September 1992
Another neighbour rings to say photofit looks like Napper. Police revisit Napper. He fails to turn up to give blood sample
18 September 1992
Colin Stagg arrested after Crimewatch callers say he looks like the photofit of Nickell killer. Released without charge
24 October 1992
Napper eliminated from rape inquiry for being too tall
27 October 1992
Napper arrested for possession of firearm and ammunition. Sentenced to eight weeks in prison
23 April 1993
Napper's fingerprints identified on a tin found buried on Winns Common, adjoining Plumstead Common. It contains a Mauser handgun. He is not pursued
July 1993
Napper comes up on police intelligence again. Husband and wife see him peeping at their neighbour. Napper questioned. Matter not pursued. Officer writes: "Should be considered as a possible rapist"
17 August 1993
Stagg charged with murder of Rachel Nickell
3 November 1993
Samantha and Jazmine Bisset, 4, murdered at their home in Plumstead
17 May 1994
Napper's fingerprints identified at scene of the Bissett murders. Trainer footprint at scene matches his. DNA tests identify him as Green Chain rapist. Napper in prison on remand
14 September 1994
Case against Stagg thrown out by Mr Justice Ognall
19 September 1994
Review begins into Nickell murder
11 November 1994
Nickell team look at Napper. Fail to check his alibi
9 October 1995
Napper pleads guilty to manslaughter of Bissetts, two attempted rapes and one rape on Green Chain walk
20 December 1995
Napper interviewed about murder of Nickell. He denies going to Wimbledon Common
2001
Murder review group set up into Nickell killing
1 December 2001
Forensic Science Service fails to identify Napper's DNA
July 2004
Private company identifies Napper DNA in same sample
June 2006
Napper interviewed at Broadmoor hospital. He denies involvement
4 December 2007
Napper charged with Nickell murder
18 December 2008
Napper pleads guilty to manslaughter of Nickell
