Menu
19/08/2008
Longest Running Missing Person Case Faces Closure
The probe into Britain's longest missing person case may be closed if no new leads are found.
Genette Tate disappeared aged 13 while on a newspaper round in the village of Aylesbeare, Devon on 19 August, 1978.
Her blue bicycle and papers were found in Within Lane on the same day, prompting a huge police search.
Devon and Cornwall Police say that the investigation remains open and the force are still appealing for information.
However, police sources have said that it could "effectively be the end of the case" unless "any new developments arose".
Despite thousands of local people helping out with the investigation, she has never been found.
Over the years, the Genette case file grew so large that it was kept in a 12ft by 10ft document cage at the Devon and Cornwall Police headquarters in Exeter.
The paperwork included more than 20,000 cards in a filing system.
A possible turning point in the investigation came when police requested if a convicted child killer - Robert Black - could be pursued as a suspect.
Police found evidence putting Black in the Aylesbeare area at the time.
Black, was given 10 life sentences in 1994 for the abduction and murder of three girls and the abduction of a 15-year-old.
However, the Crown Prosecution Service says it will not be pursuing any prosecution against him.
Devon and Cornwall Police said it had been informed by the CPS that "there is insufficient evidence to justify the institution of criminal proceedings against the individual arrested by the force in connection with the disappearance of Genette Tate".
"The force is aware that the 30th anniversary is approaching and would ask any one with further information concerning this unsolved crime contact the force," police said.
BBC South West Home Affairs Correspondent Simon Hal said: "The view I'm getting from senior officers is that there is nowhere else to go and, unless there is some significant new development, that will effectively be the end of the case."
Genette's father, John Tate, is understood to be "in despair" at the news.
"It's something that you can't imagine. You have so many sleepless nights that it must have an effect," he said.
(DS)
Genette Tate disappeared aged 13 while on a newspaper round in the village of Aylesbeare, Devon on 19 August, 1978.
Her blue bicycle and papers were found in Within Lane on the same day, prompting a huge police search.
Devon and Cornwall Police say that the investigation remains open and the force are still appealing for information.
However, police sources have said that it could "effectively be the end of the case" unless "any new developments arose".
Despite thousands of local people helping out with the investigation, she has never been found.
Over the years, the Genette case file grew so large that it was kept in a 12ft by 10ft document cage at the Devon and Cornwall Police headquarters in Exeter.
The paperwork included more than 20,000 cards in a filing system.
A possible turning point in the investigation came when police requested if a convicted child killer - Robert Black - could be pursued as a suspect.
Police found evidence putting Black in the Aylesbeare area at the time.
Black, was given 10 life sentences in 1994 for the abduction and murder of three girls and the abduction of a 15-year-old.
However, the Crown Prosecution Service says it will not be pursuing any prosecution against him.
Devon and Cornwall Police said it had been informed by the CPS that "there is insufficient evidence to justify the institution of criminal proceedings against the individual arrested by the force in connection with the disappearance of Genette Tate".
"The force is aware that the 30th anniversary is approaching and would ask any one with further information concerning this unsolved crime contact the force," police said.
BBC South West Home Affairs Correspondent Simon Hal said: "The view I'm getting from senior officers is that there is nowhere else to go and, unless there is some significant new development, that will effectively be the end of the case."
Genette's father, John Tate, is understood to be "in despair" at the news.
"It's something that you can't imagine. You have so many sleepless nights that it must have an effect," he said.
(DS)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
03 March 2015
Council And Police Apologise Over Child Sex Abuse In Oxford
A Serious Case Review into child sex abuse in Oxford has revealed many failures by the police and social services. The review found that the exploitation could have been identified earlier and that errors were made.
Council And Police Apologise Over Child Sex Abuse In Oxford
A Serious Case Review into child sex abuse in Oxford has revealed many failures by the police and social services. The review found that the exploitation could have been identified earlier and that errors were made.
19 August 2010
Appeal To Identify 'Historic' Railway Bodies
Police have launched an appeal to identify 20 people whose bodies have been found near the rail and Tube network since the mid-70s. The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) and British Transport Police (BTP) have teamed up for the first exercise of its kind in an attempt to identify the bodies.
Appeal To Identify 'Historic' Railway Bodies
Police have launched an appeal to identify 20 people whose bodies have been found near the rail and Tube network since the mid-70s. The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) and British Transport Police (BTP) have teamed up for the first exercise of its kind in an attempt to identify the bodies.
05 March 2015
Police Cleared Over Death Of Hamzah Khan
A verdict of "no misconduct" by any police officer has been found after the body of a four-year-old was discovered starved to death in his cot two years after he died.
Police Cleared Over Death Of Hamzah Khan
A verdict of "no misconduct" by any police officer has been found after the body of a four-year-old was discovered starved to death in his cot two years after he died.
07 February 2012
Great Expectations Of The MPU
Today is the 200th anniversary of the birth of renowned English novelist Charles Dickens (7 February 1812 - 9 June 1870), widely considered the greatest of the Victorian period. London as Dickens knew it, reached his pages, not from his imagination, but from his observations.
Great Expectations Of The MPU
Today is the 200th anniversary of the birth of renowned English novelist Charles Dickens (7 February 1812 - 9 June 1870), widely considered the greatest of the Victorian period. London as Dickens knew it, reached his pages, not from his imagination, but from his observations.
29 August 2014
Police Investigating If Woman Was Trying To Save Dog When She Was Hit By Train
British Transport Police investigating the death of a woman have said that she may have been trying to save a dog when she was hit by a train. The 22-year-old woman was struck by a train close to Ainsdale station near Southport, Merseyside at about 15:00 on Wednesday. Transport police said a dog was also found dead at the scene.
Police Investigating If Woman Was Trying To Save Dog When She Was Hit By Train
British Transport Police investigating the death of a woman have said that she may have been trying to save a dog when she was hit by a train. The 22-year-old woman was struck by a train close to Ainsdale station near Southport, Merseyside at about 15:00 on Wednesday. Transport police said a dog was also found dead at the scene.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
