Potentially significant breakthrough nearly 30 years after teenage girl disappeared

Police have made a potentially significant breakthrough in the case of a teenage girl who disappeared nearly 30 years ago after being last seen in the back of a stranger's car.

On Sunday, October 26, 1997, 15-year-old Jessica Small was at an amusement parlour in the NSW town of Bathurst with a friend when the pair decided to hitchhike home.

The driver who picked them up attacked both girls. But while Small's friend managed to escape, the car, described as a white sedan, sped off with Jessica inside.

READ MORE: Meet the Queensland adult store owner naming and shaming shoplifters

While there were several suspects questioned, no one was ever charged, and an inquest was held in 2014 and a $1 million reward was offered.

Now, A Current Affair can reveal there's been a potentially significant breakthrough.

"We've obtained some information that a number of sexual assault offences occurred against teenage girls back at that time ... those matters were investigated and have been resolved," NSW Homicide Squad commander Joe Doueihi said.

Detectives suspect those attacks – one of which happened on school grounds only 200 metres from where Jessica was last seen – could be crucial in the case.

A new strike force has been set up, the coercive powers of the NSW Crime Commission have also been utilised, and the state coroner will launch a second inquest based on the fresh information.

Watch the full story in the video player above.