| Flowers in Gods Garden
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12/12/01
- Timeline: The Sarah Payne tragedy
BBC NEWS
Police carried out an exhaustive search |
Within hours of her disappearance, police launched a UK-wide
campaign to find eight-year-old Sarah Payne.
As fears grew that she had been abducted Sussex Police,
working closely with Sarah's family, appealed for anyone
with any information to come forward. As time wore on
hopes of finding Sarah alive began to fade.
Saturday 1 July 2000: Sarah disappears from her grandparents'
home in West Sussex after an argument with her brothers
and sister at about 2000BST. She is reported missing soon
after. Fire crews and police spend the night searching
without success.
A new photo of Sarah, issued on the day a body was
found |
Sunday 2 July:More than 50 officers
and 80 volunteers join in a fingertip search of the immediate
area. Roy Whiting, a known paedophile, is arrested for
the first time. He is subsequently released on police
bail.
Monday 3 July:Michael and Sara Payne make the first of
their emotional televised appeals for their daughter's
safe return. Police say she could have been abducted.
A second man is arrested.
Wednesday 5 July:Police stage an identity parade. Whiting
and the other man are released on bail pending further
inquiries.
Thursday 6 July: Every police force in the country is
involved in the hunt for the missing girl. The search
is scaled down as the inquiry shifts to specific leads,
including claims of attempted abductions in the area.
Friday 7 July: Police stage a reconstruction of Sarah's
last known movements in an effort to jog the memories
of possible witnesses. Early DNA test results on samples
taken from several addresses are inconclusive.
A young child re-traces Sarah's last moments |
Saturday 8 July: Police sift through
more than 3,500 calls from the public and set up roadblocks
to question motorists about a white van and silver Mondeo
spotted by Sarah's 13-year-old brother Lee. He, along
with her brother Luke, 11, and sister Charlotte, six,
make an emotional appeal.
Sunday 9 July:As the search enters its second week, Sarah's
siblings visit the incident room to thank officers for
their efforts.
Monday 10 July:Police reveal a sighting at Knutsford service
station in Cheshire of a schoolgirl answering Sarah's
description. Officers say it is the "best sighting
yet".
Wednesday 12 July:Sarah's favourite pop group, Steps,
make an impassioned TV plea for her return. It is revealed
the police operation has so far cost £250,000.
Thursday 13 July: Sara and Michael Payne are told to "prepare
for the worst". Detective Sergeant Sean Scott says
the emphasis of the inquiry had shifted and Sarah "may
not be found safe and well".
Sara and Michael Payne worked closely with officers |
Friday 14 July: Lee, Luke and
Charlotte speak about the family's ordeal. "We are
looking after mum and dad by giving them a cuddle, just
trying to keep them happy," says Luke.
Saturday 15 July: The Payne family returns to the beach
where they had been walking shortly before Sarah's disappearance,
and renew their appeal for help.
Monday 17 July: Police find the body of a young girl near
Pulborough.
Tuesday 18 July:Police confirm the body is that of Sarah
Payne. A murder investigation begins.
Thursday 20 July:Police find what they believe is one
of Sarah's shoes at the small village of Coolham, a few
miles east of where the body was discovered.
Police were inundated with calls after showing distinctive
clown-patterned curtains |
Monday 31 July: Whiting is arrested
for a second time. He is released on police bail.
Wednesday 24 January 2001: Police receive 270 calls following
a Crimewatch UK appeal on BBC One where a distinctive
pair of clown patterned curtains are shown.
6 February 2001: Whiting is arrested for a third time
and charged with Sarah's murder.
12 December 2001: Whiting found guilty of abducting and
murdering Sarah Payne and jailed for life. |
| Contact : bernard.omahoney@bernardomahoney.com |
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| Flowers in Gods Garden |
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| Paul Pearson |
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| Rosie Palmer |
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| Sophie Hook |
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| Sarah Payne |
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