A BRITISH soldier was named today as the suspect in the murder of a woman whose body was discovered in a septic tank behind a Kenyan hotel.

Court documents first reported by the Sunday Times show ex-combat medic Robert James Purkiss is accused of a single count of murdering Agnes Wanjiru in March 2012.

Ms Wanjiru’s naked corpse was found in a septic tank in Nanyuki near a British army base, two months after she disappeared.

The post-mortem was unable to confirm whether she had been sexually assaulted, but did conclude that she had been stabbed in her chest and abdomen.

A warrant has been issued for Mr Purkiss’s arrest. If extradited, it will be the first time a serving or ex-British soldier is sent abroad to go on trial for killing a civilian.

Mr Purkiss’s case is listed for a mention hearing at a court in Kenya on October 21.