Man charged with Alicia's murder

Alicia Eborne's body was found on Sunday

A 39-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Devon teenager Alicia Eborne.

The body of the 18-year-old was found earlier on Sunday by search experts on a thickly wooded slope near Denham Bridge at Buckland Monachorum on Dartmoor.

The teenager disappeared after leaving her home in the hamlet of Corntown, near Plymouth, nine days ago.

Lee Holbrook, from Plymouth, Devon, will appear before Torbay Magistrates Court on Monday, charged with her murder.

Family 'devastated'

Mr Holbrook, a bus driver, was arrested on Thursday evening on suspicion of abduction and had been held by police for questioning since.

Alicia's body was found about 14 miles from her home, just off a public road near the River Tavy.

This place is a crime scene but it is a place of great sadness today Det Chief Super Jim Webster

Police said Alicia's family had been informed of the discovery and were "devastated" by the news.

Detective Chief Superintendent Jim Webster, head of Devon and Cornwall Police CID, said: "At this time our thoughts are with Alicia's family and friends.

"We would like to express our deep sympathy for her family and to state the distress and concern this has caused to all those who have been hunting for Alicia in the hope she would be found well.

"This place is a crime scene but it is a place of great sadness today.

"We would like to pay our respects to the memory of Alicia."

Corntown resident Dr Jill Spencer said local residents had feared the worst.

"Although I can't really begin to imagine what the family are feeling and what they are going through.

"I have got a daughter who was brought up here. You can't help trying to imagine what it must be like for them," she said.

Dr Spencer, 61, said the people of Corntown, a hamlet of just 14 dwellings, would do their best to support the family.

"I am sure everybody will do everything they can and maybe try and help in practical ways."