Dad of man, 49, arrested on suspicion of murdering Gaia Pope says son is ‘110% innocent’

THE dad of a man arrested on suspicion of Gaia Pope's murder has claimed his son is "110 per cent innocent".

Paul Elsey, 49, was named by the family as the third person arrested in connection with the 19-year-old's disappearance.

Mr Elsey, from Swanage, is the uncle of 19-year-old Nathan Elsey, who was arrested earlier in the week.

The 49-year-old was arrested within hours of clothes "similar to those worn by Gaia" being discovered by a member of the public.

They were found less than two miles away from the teenager's home in Langton Matravers, near Swanage, Dorset.

His father, Greg, said tonight: "I'm totally disgusted. Paul's solicitor has asked me not to say anything.

"You will be gobsmacked how the police have formed [their investigation]. Absolutely disgusting.

"What I said this morning is that I would find [Paul] and have a chat with him. He was going to ring the police station and arrange to see them if they wanted. That was the agreement we came to. That's the agreement I and the solicitors made.

"I can't say anything more but you will find out and you will be disgusted, the same as I was."

Speaking outside his home, he said that he picked up his son in Southampton, Hants, earlier today and that he was being held at Poole Police Station.

He added: "The two fellows [police officers] that came here this morning, I said they were a nice couple of fellows. Well, I've changed my mind."

Police fear Gaia, who has epilepsy and PTSD, has come to harm after disappearing last Tuesday.

Detective Superintendent Paul Kessell, of Dorset police, said this evening: "We have arrested a 49-year-old man on suspicion of murder.

"He is believed to be known to Gaia and from the Swanage area.

"Also today a member of the public identified clothing south of Priestly Road in Swanage similar to that worn by Gaia."

It is not yet known who owns the clothes found abandoned on a field 200m from the cliffs between Dancing Ledge and Anvil Point south of Swanage.

Detectives say they have told Gaia's family of the find.

Last night cops seized a car belonging to Paul Elsey, who lives at the house where the student was last seen in a distressed state nine days ago.

They had earlier released Paul's mum Rosemary Linch, 71, and his nephew Nathan, on suspicion of murder.

Detective Kessell added: "My thoughts are with the family who are going through an incredibly distressing time.

"Clearly the family are deeply concerned and they are living through an experience which we would all find extremely challenging.

"We will continue to support them, we will not stop until we find Gaia.

"We have not located Gaia and we will continue to conduct extensive searches of the area over the next few days."

Today Gaia's distraught dad broke down in tears as he vowed: "We'll get you back".

Sobbing Richard Sutherland told how he desperately wants a "big hug" from his 19-year-old daughter who hasn't been seen since last Tuesday.

In an emotional appeal to his daughter on , Richard said: "Gaia, you know we love you, you know that.

"I just want that big hug please, I just want a big hug. We’ll get you back and we’ll have that big hug."

He added: "We all love her. We want her back, we’ll get her back.

"We believe we will get her back, so that keeps us going. The help we get from the community...That gives us strength."

A woman's clothes were found this morning at 10.28 in the Swanage field.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Devoto, said: "Following the discovery of these items of clothing, a full and thorough search will now take place in the field and surrounding area.

"We have seized the clothing and investigations will now be carried out to identify who they belong to.

"We have updated Gaia's family who continue to be supported by specially-trained officers. Our thoughts remain with them at this very difficult time."

Mr Devoto added: "We are doing everything possible to try and locate Gaia.

"I would like to renew my appeal to anyone who has information about where Gaia is or what has happened to her to please contact Dorset Police.

"I am also urging anyone who has seen any suspicious activity in the area of Morrison Road and Priests Way since November 7 to please contact us."

Gaia has been missing since turning up at the home carpenter Paul, 49, shares with his 71-year-old mother, Rosemary Dinch, in Swanage, Dorset.

Earlier today police divers were seen searching a lake close to their home this morning after forensic officers made a midnight swoop on his prized VW Golf. They were also trying to trace Paul.

Yesterday, Paul's father, Greg, said he did not know where he was - but pledged to drive around looking for him.

The 69-year-old claimed his son had left his mobile phone at home after saying he was “going out with a mate” on Tuesday evening.

He has been unable to contact him since, but claims his son could prove to police he was working away when Gaia, 19, disappeared.

Greg said: "He will come forward. I'm going to see Paul today, he's at a mate's. He has nothing to hide.

"I'll take him to the police station myself and get him a solicitor."

He also hit out at police for arresting Rosemary, claiming his terminally ill wife "couldn't even murder a chicken".

Gaia was in a “distressed and agitated” state and started to strip off, according to Rosemary, grandmother of Gaia’s pal Nathan Elsey.

New CCTV footage of Gaia issued yesterday showed her buying an ice cream an hour before she was last seen.

Gaia’s frantic family renewed their appeals for help on social media.

Her mum, Natasha, from Langton Matravers, near Swanage, said she feared Gaia had been kidnapped.

She urged people to check “the back of vans, garages, anywhere Gaia might be hidden or could be kept against her will”.