STUDENT Sally Geeson's murderer left a suicide note admitting he had killed a woman, police have revealed.

Last night detectives confirmed that Lance Corporal David Atkinson killed and sexually assaulted Sally after the results of forensic tests were examined.

Several women have also come forward since Atkinson, 31, was named as the prime suspect after he jumped to his death from the seventh floor of a Glasgow hotel. At least one claimed he tried to abduct her while driving around.

Atkinson set himself alight and threw himself out of the window about 12 hours after Sally, 22, of Cornworthy, Shoebury, was discovered dead near a US cemetery in the university town.

Detective Supt Garry Swain, of Cambridge Police, said DNA evidence revealed Atkinson was responsible for a "serious sexual assault" on the student.

He added: "A letter which we believe was written by him was found in his room at the hotel in Glasgow. It indicates that he killed a female.

This note, together with forensic evidence, means I am satisfied that Atkinson was Sally's killer. I am also satisfied that there was no third party involvement.

"Sally was in Cambridge celebrating New Year's Eve with her friends. At the same time, Atkinson was in Cambridge. He was driving his H-registration green Range Rover."