Rikki NEAvE murDEr suspECt ‘in PortugAl’

Police working to bring suspect back

A man suspected of murdering Peterborough schoolboy Rikki Neave is believed to have fled to Portugal where he has posted photos of himself having fun in the sun. JamesWatson(35) wasarrested in April over the unsolved murder of schoolboy Rikki who died aged six in 1994.

It emerged on Monday that Watson, who was living at a bail hostel, had smuggled himself out of the UK in a motorhome from Dover, Kent, andisnowunderstoodtobein Portugal where he has posted astringofphotosonlineshowing him drinking beer, sunbathingandevenposingnude.

Watson 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 ontheferry, drove onandthat wasthat. Nochecks, nothing.”

Watsonadded:“It hasbeen the most stressful time of my 35 years. (I’m) getting the sun onmeandmakingsomememories.”

A source close to him said: “I think he has been enjoying himself too much. He has been drinking beer and lying aroundonthebeachalldayliving it up.

“I have told him that he is breaking his bail and is not whereheshouldbe. Heshould be going back to the hostel.

“It wasn’t even that strict there. They could stay out until 11pm.”

Watson was originally arrested onApril 19 whenpolice raided his mother’s flat onthe Welland estate.

Rikki went missing near the estate on November 28, 1994 and his naked body was found the following day in woodland. He had been strangled. After his f i r s t arrest Watson was taken away for days of “intensive” questioning before being released on bail until June 15.

Hewasthenrebailed again and is due to return to see police on September 20.

Police were made aware on July 15 that the suspect had breached his police bail by travelling overseas and UK police began liaison with European forces to locate him and ensure his return to this country.

A Cambridgeshire 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 workingwithhimandpartner agenciesinorderforhimtoreturn to the UK promptly.”

A picture of himself posted by James Watson

Another of the pictures posted by James Watson and (right) Rikki Neave