Letters in case may be hoax

David Spencer (left) and Patrick Warren were best friends

Detectives investigating anonymous letters claiming two missing boys were buried at a beauty spot believe they may have been a cruel hoax.

West Midlands Police said inquiries were continuing in an attempt to trace David Spencer and his best friend Patrick Warren, who were last seen on Boxing Day, 1996.

Chief Inspector Steve Glover confirmed that a 37-year-old man had been questioned about two letters sent to officers in December 1999 and January 2000 which suggested that the boys had been "disposed of" in Woodgate Valley Country Park in Birmingham.

The unnamed man, who is from Birmingham, has now been released on police bail to allow experts time to compare samples of his handwriting with the letters which were traced back to Winson Green jail in the city.

"Missing persons"

Mr Glover said: "Since 1996 there have been extensive and ongoing inquiries to trace both boys, who were treated as missing persons.

"The early indications were that they had actually planned with friends to run away.

"We don't know if these letters are true or whether they are a hoax."

The officer said police had no plans to dig in the Woodgate Valley but would be revisiting the site to allow a forensic archaeologist to re-examine areas already assessed following the initial receipt of the letters.

Milk cartons

Detectives also urged the missing boys, who would now be young adults, to contact officers, even if they did not wish to make contact with their families.

David, then 13, and Patrick, 11, were reported missing from their homes in Chelmsley Wood, Solihull, on Boxing Day, 1996.

The two boys were featured on milk cartons as part of a nationwide appeal launched by the National Missing Persons Helpline.

Despite this and desperate pleas by the families, the youngsters, who were last seen playing in Chelmsley Wood, never returned.