Charlotte police to renew search

Charlotte Pinkney vanished in February after leaving a party

Detectives will conduct a final search for missing north Devon teenager Charlotte Pinkney ahead of the trial of the man accused of her murder.

Sixteen-year-old Charlotte, from Ilfracombe, disappeared after a party at the end of February. Her body has not been found.

Officers are now planning to launch a fresh search next week.

Nicholas Rose, 22, from Foreland View in Ilfracombe, has pleaded not guilty to her murder.

Until such time as we find Charlotte's body there won't be real closure Det Chief Insp Tony Carney

His trial is due to start on 10 January 2005.

Using the work of psychological and geographical profilers they will revisit some areas they have already searched, including the seaside village of Lee, near Ilfracombe.

Det Chief Insp Tony Carney, leading the murder inquiry, said: "We have said all along that come this time of year, when the vegetation is dying back, it will make our task that much easier.

"We want to have one last attempt to find Charlotte in what we consider to be the most appropriate areas."

He also called on members of the public out walking in north Devon to "be vigilant" for anything suspicious.

He added that finding the teenager would help her family to come to terms with her death.

He said: "Her mother had a church service back in August, and I think that helped her a bit, but until such time as we find Charlotte's body there won't be real closure."

Charlotte disappeared in the early hours of Saturday, 28 February 28, following a party in Burnside Road, Ilfracombe.

Police divers searched two reservoirs

A search was launched after she was reported missing on 4 March.

Further concerns were raised when she failed to make contact with her divorced parents on her 17th birthday two days later.

Police launched a murder hunt six days later when her handbag was found in undergrowth.

Ilfracombe's two Slade reservoirs, located near where Charlotte was last seen, were drained in April to help police divers complete their searches.