Police release new CCTV footage of missing teen Charlene Downes who vanished 13yrs ago
Police are appealing for fresh information in bid to solve case 13 years after 14-year-old disappeared from Blackpool
NEW CCTV of missing teen Charlene Downes has been released as cops make a fresh appeal for information on the 13th anniversary of her disappearance.
Charlene, 14, disappeared went missing from her hometown of Blackpool on November 1 2003.
Police are urging anyone with any information come forward more than a decade after she went missing.
The new footage shows Charlene with her sister Rebecca on Bank Hey Street in Blackpool town centre at 3:25pm the day she disappeared.
Charlene went home shortly after the video was captured, but returned to the town centre in the evening.
She was last seen by her mum Karen that night, where she kissed her goodbye at a bus stop on Church Street on her way to meet friends.
But Charlene never made it home -prompting the launch of a massive missing person’s enquiry which was upgraded to a murder enquiry in 2006.
Her body has never been found, despite a complex investigation and £100,000 reward from police.
Officers from Lancashire Police have so far taken more than 4,800 witness statements and more than 10,500 lines of inquiry have been generated but the case remains unsolved.
In 2007, a takeaway owner was famously accused of murdering her, allegedly chopping up her body and ‘putting it in kebabs’. The joint-owner was accused of helping to dispose of her body, but charges against them were withdrawn after the jury failed to reach a verdict at the trial.
Since then, 14-year-old Charlene was identified by police as a victim of abuse in Blackpool.
It was revealed that at least 60 schoolgirls were groomed for sex by takeaway workers, who would ply youngsters with food, alcohol and cigarettes in return for sexual favours.
What happened to Charlene?
November 1 2003
3:35pm: Charlene caught on CCTV crossing the road in Blackpool
7:15pm: Charlene’s mum Karen Downes gave her a kiss after bumping into Charlene in the Blackpool town centre. Charlene told her she was going to the arcade and wouldn’t be late home. She meets her friend from the bus and they walk towards the Promenade, heading for the Carousel bar on North Pier
9:03pm: Charlene is allegedly spotted on CCTV outside a Blackpool bar on Talbot Road with a woman wearing a ¾ length black coat
November 2 2003
Charlene’s family report her as missing when she fails to come home.
2006: Police advise Charlene’s family that she has been murdered and that the case is no longer a missing persons enquiry
2007: Takeaway owner Iyad Albatthiki acquitted of murdering Charlene after trial which claimed her body was chopped up and had “gone into kebabs”. His co-defendant Mohammed Reveshi was acquitted of helping to dispose of her body
2008: Albattikhi and Reveshi were set to be re-trialled but it’s called off due to lack of evidence amid failings in the police investigation. The men were paid almost £250,000 each in compensation
2011: Officers investigating Charlene’s appearance discover at least 60 schoolgirls were groomed for sex at takeaways in Blackpool in exchange for food, alcohol and cigarettes. They believe Charlene was involved
2014: A Crimewatch appeal is issued and cops reveal a £100,000 reward for information
27 June 2016: Police investigating Charlene’s murder arrest two men on suspicion of historic sex offences
Detective Superintendent Andy Webster, from Lancashire Police, said: “It has been thirteen years since Charlene disappeared but we are as determined as ever to find her killer or killers.
“Hopefully these pictures of Charlene on the day she disappeared will help jog someone’s memory and I would urge anyone with information, however insignificant they feel it may be, to come and speak to us.
“I have always been convinced that there are people who know what happened to Charlene but have not yet come forward to speak to the police.
“You may have been present when she was murdered or may simply have information about how she was killed and what happened to her body.
“For whatever reasons, you may have chosen not to speak out previously, and I can understand that, but as we seek to find out what happened your information could be vital to take the case forward.
He added: “If anyone is reluctant to speak to us for fear of reprisals I would reassure them that every measure is taken to ensure their safety.
“Also, if you are afraid you could incriminate yourself, let me reassure you that our main objective is to find Charlene’s killer or killers.
“As part of our inquiries we are also focussing on the wider issue of child sexual exploitation in Blackpool at around the time of Charlene’s disappearance and we have identified a number of people who could potentially be victims and offenders, and we will be seeking to make arrests and to prosecute abusers in the near future.”
Two men were also arrested and questioned by police earlier this year for historic sex offences, which have no suggested direct link to Charlene.
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting log number LC-20161031-0381 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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