Man accused of bank girl's murder

Miss Torbet, the daughter of Detective Chief Inspector Jim Torbet of Eastbourne CID, had worked as a clerk at the Market Street bank for seven months. On Friday, she was found dead from knife wounds at her flat in Cantelupe Road, Bexhill.

A spokesman at HSBC in Hailsham said: 'Rae was a very popular member of staff with everyone. We are all incredibly upset by this dreadful news.

'Our hearts go out to her family and friends at this tragic time. She was loved by her colleagues and this is a very difficult time for everyone who knew her.'

When Miss Torbet failed to turn up for work in Hailsham on Friday morning, colleagues tried to contact her without success. A member of staff later went to her flat in Bexhill where her body was found in a pool of blood. A post mortem later revealed she had died from a stab wound in her neck.

Detective Superintendent Chris Gillings, who is leading the murder inquiry, said: 'The victim returned home from work on Thursday evening at about 5.30pm. We are interested in hearing from anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Cantelupe Road area at that time. It doesn't matter how small the piece of information seems, please give us a ring.'

A statement from Miss Torbet's parents described her as 'quite literally, a Rae of sunshine'. It said: 'Her biggest asset was her ability to light up the lives of everyone she touched. She was strong-willed, adored life and was the most cheerful, bubbly young woman you could ever want to meet.'

Miss Torbet's ex-boyfriend, 31-year-old factory worker Dellwyn James, of Chiltern Drive, Hastings, has been charged with her murder and is currently in custody.

Readers with any information should phone 0845 60 70 999.