MAN X & THE ASSASSIN

Serb killer looks similar to CCTV pic from scenes

- TOM PETTIFOR and MATTHEW YOUNG

A MAN wanted for questioning over Jill Dando's murder bears a striking resemblance to a Serbian assassin, it's been revealed.

Facial comparison expert Emi Polito found "Man X" in a CCTV clip from near the star's home had a similar mouth, chin and hairline to Milorad Ulemek, who is serving 40 years in a Serbian jail.

It led to calls for police to investigate the possible link. Polito said of the pictures: "Within the imagery limitations, no differences were found." Ulemek, 56, led a unit of hitmen who targeted opponents of brutal dictator Slobodan Milosevic.

The assassin's movements at the time of Jill's murder in 1999 should be probed by police in the light of our sister paper the Mirror's investigation, a leading lawyer has said.

The man was caught on CCTV following the gunman's likely escape route after the Crimewatch presenter, 37, was killed just after 11.30am outside her home on April 26, 1999.

The person on the CCTV has never been identified.

Jill's brother Nigel, 72, told us: "I'm always interested in any new lines of inquiry about Jill's death, especially if they might lead to somebody being arrested and convicted of her murder."

Michael Mansfield KC, who defended wrongly convicted Barry George during his first 2001 trial for Jill's murder, argued then that it could have been a Serbian hitman.

As the 25th anniversary of Jill's murder approaches on Friday, he said of our findings: "I would call for there to be a review and for the investigation to be resuscitated.