'EVERY DAY IS A LIVING HELL'
Devastated family of schoolgirl Charlene Downes, 14, who was ‘chopped into kebabs’ are to sue police over failings
THE family of a schoolgirl who vanished 14 years ago are to sue police over their bungled investigation, it was reported today.
Charlene Downes' mum Karen is said to be taking legal action after detectives appealed for witnesses with "new" CCTV footage that had been sitting in their archives for more than a decade.
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Charlene, 14, of Blackpool, went missing in November 2003.
No trace of her has ever been found but detectives believe her body was chopped up and had "gone into kebabs" at a takeaway in the town.
The investigation has been dogged by problems ever since. A 2007 murder trial collapsed because of police errors and the IPCC watchdog ruled the force's blunders mean the killer may never be found.
Last year a cold case team revisited the investigation and discovered CCTV footage of Charlene walking with her sister Rebecca on the day she vanished.
It was released on the 13th anniversary of her disappearance in November and again for a fresh appeal on the BBC's Crimewatch Live Roadshow last week.
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Karen says if it had been shown closer to the time she vanished it could have led to vital evidence from witnesses.
She : "It is unbelievable that they have had that footage all those years and never used it.
“It is an absolute disgrace and an insult to the memory of my dead daughter.
“Maybe If the CCTV was shown at the time I could have got justice years ago and put Charlene to rest but now my pain continues.
"I am absolutely disgusted. Every day is still a living hell. And instead of helping me the police add to it as they never tell me anything and seem determined to keep me in the dark.”
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She is taking civil action against Lancashire police and is seeking damages and a public apology over their handling of the investigation, the paper reports.
In 2007 kebab shop boss Ilyad Albattikhi was acquitted of Charlene’s murder and his co-defendant was acquitted of helping to dispose of her body.
A planned retrial was dropped due to lack of evidence. Covert recordings in which the defendants appeared to say Charlene's body had "gone into kebabs" were later found to be flawed due to their handling.
Two officers later faced disciplinary proceedings over the case, but themselves sued the force claiming they were scapegoated for their bosses' failings.
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
A £100,000 reward has been offered for information on what happened to Charlene.
Officers from Lancashire Police have taken more than 4,800 witness statements and followed 10,500 lines of inquiry but the case remains unsolved.
Detectives suspect Charlene may have been a victim of sexual exploitation 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.
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