The man accused of the rape and murder of a 15-year-old schoolgirl 21 years ago should be jailed for 14 years, the public prosecution department said on Wednesday.

Jos de G was arrested in January 2014 after his DNA was found to have ‘similarities’ with the killer’s profile. He has a previous conviction for rape and was a patient at a secure psychiatric hospital when arrested.

Nicole van den Hurk from Eindhoven disappeared in October 1995 as she cycled from her grandmother’s house in Tongelre to work at a supermarket. Her body was found six weeks later in shrubs.

The murder was first investigated by a cold case team in 2004 and her remains were exhumed in September 2011 for further investigation. ‘That led to the definitive breakthrough,’ police said at the time.

The public prosecution department has not called for De G to be sent to a secure psychiatric unit, arguing that he has already spent time in one and there are no further options for treatment.

The case against De G is currently being heard in Den Bosch.