Suzy Lamplugh suspect John Cannan had mystery set of keys when cops arrested him

JOHN Cannan, the prime suspect in the Suzy Lamplugh murder case, was carrying a mystery set of keys when he was arrested for attempted rape in 1987.

Cops suspected Cannan had abducted Shirley Banks, 30, in an unconnected case and at the time appealed for anyone who recognised the keys to come forward.

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The former car salesman was convicted of her murder and sexual offences in July 1988 and given three life sentences.

One of the keys found was described a “possibly for a garage or locker,” according to the .

Police though did not search the lockup at the former home of his mum in Sutton Coalfield, West Midlands.

Officers though are now searching the premises in a bid to find the body of the estate agent who went missing in July 1986 after going to meet a man who called himself ‘Mr Kipper’ at a property in Fulham.

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Excavation work was focusing on an old corrugated iron garage in the back garden of the semi-detached property.

The corrugated iron structure has been dismantled by Met Police specialist search cops to enable excavation work to start.

Ground-penetrating radar was used to scan the area and a tent was erected where the garage stood.

There is no suggestion that his mum Sheila was involved in or had any knowledge of this or any of his crimes.

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Over the decades, police have chased up a number of leads relating to the disappearance, but have continued to draw blanks.

In November 2002 the CPS decided there was insufficient evidence to charge Cannan.

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The Sun recently revealed the cop who led the first Suzy Lamplugh inquiry refused to see Cannan as her killer because he fell out with her mum.

An official review said Det Supt Malcolm Hackett’s view of “Mr Kipper” suspect Cannan was prejudiced by his belief Diana Lamplugh was behind media stories linking the murderer with Suzy.

It prejudiced his view of Cannan to such an extent he failed to properly interview him, put him in ID lines ups or check his alibi for the day Suzy vanished. Instead, Hackett told his team to try to eliminate Cannan as a suspect.