18/12/95 - STATEMENT of PAUL ALAN DRAPER

NAME: PAUL ALAN DRAPER
AGE / DATE OF BIRTH: 40 06081955

Who states:- This statement consisting of 004 pages, each signed by me, is true to the best of my knowledge and belief and I make it knowing that if it is tendered in evidence I shall be liable to prosecution if I have wilfully stated in it anything which I know to be false or do not believe to be true.

DATED: 181295
P A DRAPER (SIGNED)

I live in Great Baddow, Essex and work at Runwell Hospital as a Thermal Insulation engineer. Although I work from Runwell Hospital this is only where my office is and I work all over Essex. At least twice a week and sometimes more regular I go to my office in Runwell.

When going there from home I always travel in either my own vehicle or my wifes and use the A130 road which takes me through Rettendon and then towards Runwell. My vehicle is a red Ford Sierra Estate E6960ME and my wife Fay's vehicle is a red Ford Fiesta D202HMD.

On Monday 271195 I again went to work via my office in Runwell. On that day I recall leaving home to go to work about 0830 hours. On that occasion I drove my wife's Ford Fiesta. I took the same route I always take to get to work and that is through Great Baddow into Molrams Lane and down the slip road onto Southend Road and finally straight across the roundabouts under the A12 and then onto the A130 heading towards Rettendon.

Whilst travelling along the A130 my attention was drawn to a vehicle travelling in front of me. This vehicle was a dark metallic blue Range Rover. My attention was drawn to this vehicle as it started to indicate to turn left off the A130 and I was travelling behind it.

The Range Rover, like myself, was travelling towards Rettendon and its indicators came on just after it had passed White House Farm which was on the left. At first I thought the vehicle was going to turn off the road further along however I saw the brake lights come on earlier and then saw it turn down a dirt track on the left.

I have knowledge of this dirt track as I know the farmer Mr THEOBALD and I know there is a lake at the end of the track where fishermen go, due to this I thought the people in the vehicle were going fishing. I never thought anything more of this sighting until a week later when there was news about an incident down the track involving a Range Rover and I therefore contacted police.

I would best describe the Range Rover I saw as a newish style although I cannot recall the number plate. The vehicle had flash looking wheels in that they had three spoked wheel trims which were the same colour as the vehicle. When the vehicle turned left I could see there was something in the boot although I cannot recall what however having thought about that day I did not see any rod holdalls as the back seats were up and if they fishermen with rods they would probably have been sticking up.

The vehicle had a driver and one front passenger. I would describe the driver as a white male of stocky build with probably longer hair than the front passenger. I would describe the front passenger as a white male of stocky build with short dark hair. Both front seats I recall had headrests.

Although I was behind the vehicle when it turned off the A130 I cannot remember when I got behind it. I do know the Range Rover did not turn into my path and I believe I may well have caught up to it as I travelled along the A130.

When the Range Rover turned left into the track the time would have been between 0840 hours and 0850 hours as it only takes me 10 minutes or so to get to that area when I travel from home and I usually arrive at work in Runwell about 0850 hours to 0900 hours.

I am certain of the date being Monday 271195 as I recall that week going to my office twice and the first time was Monday morning. After the Range Rover had turned left and entered the track I passed it and looked down briefly where I saw the vehicle slowly driving along the track. I have not seen the vehicle since that date.

P A DRAPER SIGNED
STATEMENT TAKEN PLACE:
TIME:
DATE: 181295
WITNESS TO SIGNATURE:
OFFICERS SIGNATURE: