A 35-year-old man from Peterborough in the UK has skipped bail in connection with the 1994 murder of Rikki Neave whose strangled and naked body was found in woodland but nobody was convicted for his murder.
The 'cold case' was re-opened in 2015 and in April 2016 police arrested the James Watson* who was initially bailed to June 15th. James Watson is known to have left the UK by hiding in a motorhome and crossing the channel on a ferry before travelling to Portugal.
Watson’s bail conditions including staying in the UK, living at a hostel in Northamptonshire and remaining in contact with the local police but he has been posting selfies on social media indicating he is enjoying an extended holiday in the Algarve.
A British police spokesman said, “We have reason to believe that the 35-year-old man from Peterborough who was arrested in connection with the historic murder of six-year-old Rikki Neave left the country while on police bail.
“We have been in communication with him and are working with him and partner agencies in order for him to return to the UK promptly.”
Waston said, “The best thing is I don’t even have a passport. I just walked out of our country. Me and a mate left the UK in a mobile home. Booked it on the ferry, drove on and that was that. No checks, nothing.”
A source close to Watson and reported in the Cambridgeshire Times said, “I think he has been enjoying himself too much. He has been drinking beer and lying around on the beach all day living it up.
“I have told him that he is breaking his bail and is not where he should be. He should be going back to the hostel. It wasn’t even that strict there. They could stay out until 11pm.”
“It’s all going to end badly. He needs to come back and face the music. I don’t believe he did it and the police have got no evidence otherwise they would have charged him. I think he’s made everything a lot worse by running away.”
Watson was given an indefinite sentence in January 2009 for causing £800,000 of damage by setting fire to the British Transport Police’s headquarters in Peterborough.
Since his questioning in the Rikki Neave murder case, Watson has complained of police harassment, saying they have been desperate to pin something on him and that they have hounded his friends and family.
After his arrest, Watson was taken away for days of “intensive” questioning before being released on bail until June 15th. He was bailed again and is due to return to see police on September 20th but also should be at the Northamptonshire hostel from whcih he now is absent.
Police were made aware on July 15th that their suspect had breached his police bail by travelling overseas and began liaison with European forces to locate Watson and have him returned to the UK.
It is understood that the Crown Prosecution Service has asked police to provide further evidence ahead of any possible charges against Waston but his breaking of bail conditions may no go down well should he ever come to trial.
* This of course is not the well-known and much respected Algarve businessman and wedding celebrant, James Watson
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