Libby Squire suspect faces court charged with stealing sex toys
A 24-YEAR-OLD man, who was arrested in connection with the disappearance of university student Libby Squire, has been remanded in custody after being charged with a string of unrelated offences.
Pawel Relowicz, a butcher originally from Poland, appeared at Hull magistrates’ court accused of voyeurism, outraging public decency and stealing sex toys and women’s underwear during burglaries.
The married father of two was initially arrested on suspicion of abducting Miss Squire, who disappeared following a night out in Hull on Jan 31. He was questioned for the maximum 96 hours before being charged with other offences.
Humberside Police said he remained a person of interest in the Miss Squire investigation.
Mr Relowicz appeared in the dock yesterday morning charged with masturbating in a public place, watching another person doing a private act for his own sexual gratification, and stealing vibrators, sex toys, knickers, condoms, photographs and computer equipment from people’s homes.
Wearing a grey sweatshirt and speaking through a Polish interpreter, he confirmed his name, address and date of birth. He also entered not guilty pleas to all the charges.
Bill Waddington, representing Mr Relowicz, said he would not be making a bail application for his client. District Judge Fred Ruther- ford told the defendant: “You have entered your not guilty pleas before this court. The matters are too serious for this court and will be sent to Crown Court. You are remanded in custody to Hull Crown Court.”
He told Mr Relowicz he would appear at the Crown Court on March 11.
Miss Squire, who was in her second year at the University of Hull, has not been seen since the early hours of Friday Feb 1. According to police, she was seen taking a taxi from a nightclub on the evening of Thursday Jan 31.
Officers said she was dropped off near her home in Wellesley Avenue at about 11.29pm, and was then seen near a bench on Beverley Road, a short distance away, about 10 minutes later.
It is understood police are also examining CCTV footage which could show Miss Squire getting into a car around the time she disappeared.
In the video, an unidentified man is seen opening the front passenger door and moving around, before getting behind the wheel and driving away at around 12.09am on Feb 1. Officers looking for Miss Squire have scoured gardens and alleyways and repeatedly searched playing fields near her home.
Mr Relowicz was arrested last Wednesday night on suspicion of abduction.
Det Supt Matt Hutchinson, who is leading the search for Miss Squire, said: “A 24-year-old man remains under investigation. Our priority remains to find Libby and support her family at this incredibly distressing time.”