Hampshire Constabulary: Further arrests in missing person case on the Isle of Wight

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Further arrests in missing person case on the Isle of Wight

Press Releases

Published: 01/11/2011

Police are taking further action in response to information about the disappearance and suspected murder of a teenager on the Isle of Wight.

Damien Nettles, aged 16, of Woodvale Road, Gurnard, Cowes, Isle of Wight, went missing on Saturday, November 2, 1996 after a night out with friends.

Detectives from Hampshire Constabulary’s Major Crime Department continue to pursue leads established during this summer and the past 18 months. Two people were arrested this morning (Tuesday, November 1, 2011) on the island on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.

The two people are:

A 35-year-old woman from Cowes, Isle of Wight
A 44-year-old man from Cowes, Isle of Wight

They are being questioned in police custody.

The two arrests are combined with the start of a new search for Damien’s body and evidence linked to his whereabouts at an address in Marsh Road, Gurnard near Cowes.

Officers entered the property this morning (Tuesday, November 1, 2011) and sealed off the grounds for examination by specialist officers and equipment.

The address will be searched this week as part of enquiries to move the investigation forward.

Senior Investigating Officer, Superintendent David Powell said: “Damien’s body has not been located or identified at the moment and we are cautious in our expectations for this search. I can't guarantee that anything will be found at an early stage. This action is necessary because the information received about the address on Marsh Road in Gurnard cannot be fully assessed until the property is searched thoroughly.

“We are always mindful that there have been many false and malicious allegations about whereabouts of Damien over the past 15 years. Such unfounded speculation upsets the Nettles family, and can disrupt other more promising lines of enquiry. Therefore, any decisions to examine possible burial sites are not taken lightly because of the amount of police time and officers required. Although this search is taking place around the 15th anniversary of Damien’s disappearance, months of planning have gone into this phase of the operation since June 2011 with certain key resources becoming available at the start of this month.

“Specialist officers completed a search of Dodnor Nature Reserve in Newport on the island and surrounding areas for Damien’s body and any evidence between May 12 and May 14, 2011. We were disappointed that none of the items recovered from the nature reserve were relevant to the investigation. However, this search and subsequent enquiries were necessary to finish pursuing a specific lead. The information that led to this search is not being treated as false or malicious. Furthermore, we were pleased that the search in May 2011 did prompt extra useful information from members of the public.

"The determination and persistence of the Nettles family is crucial to reinforce awareness of this case and encourage new leads. Our focus is fixed on finding Damien and I would ask that the community remembers, and reflects on, his disappearance again this week. Even after 15 years, the smallest piece of detail from a member of the public could prove to be an essential element in establishing a significant line of enquiry. We also appreciate the assistance of charities, partner agencies, businesses, the media and the local community to keep the efforts to discover Damien's whereabouts in the public eye.

“Although murder is a prominent line of enquiry at this time, detectives retain an open mind about exactly what happened to Damien because a wide range of information has been received over the past 15 years.”

Further information can be viewed on Hampshire Constabulary’s website under the ‘Casebook’ section, which highlights ongoing investigations: http://www.hampshire.police.uk/Internet/news/casebook/index.htm

Anyone with information about the Damien Nettles case can contact Hampshire Constabulary by phoning 101 or emailing operation.ridgewood@hampshire.pnn.police.uk

Mini-Com users can call 01962 875000. The charity Missing People (formerly the National Missing Persons Helpline) can be contacted in confidence on Freefone 0500 700 700. Information can be given anonymously by phoning the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

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