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Spotlight back on crimes that haunted nation

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Two of Australia's most notorious crimes have come under renewed scrutiny following the emergence of fresh evidence in one case and a damning report of police investigations into the other.

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The disappearance of nine-year-old Samantha Knight in 1986, and the unrelated murder of 14-year-old Leigh Leigh in 1989, have haunted Australians for years.

Samantha's disappearance has never been solved, while in Leigh's case, there are suspicions that more youths were involved than the one convicted.

Samantha was reported missing after she failed to return from an after-school visit to the shops in Bondi, Sydney, a decade ago.

Her disappearance prompted the largest police search that had been undertaken in Australia.

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Police are now interviewing a middle-aged man, after tip-offs from witnesses who said the man talked frequently about Samantha in a manner that was strange and inappropriate.

The man, who has never been previously questioned, is also alleged to have shown people photos of Samantha and her friends.

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