Police investigating the disappearance of teenage mother Nicola Payne carry out new searches after a witness revealed two men were 'acting suspiciously' on the day she vanished in 1991
- Miss Payne, then aged 18, was last seen as she walked to her parents' home across waste ground in Wood End, Coventry, on December 14 1991
- Two men, aged 51, were cleared of murdering her after a trial last year
- Now it has emerged that fresh woodland searches are being carried out
Police investigating the disappearance of teenage mother Nicola Payne in 1991 are carrying out fresh woodland searches
Police investigating the disappearance of teenage mother Nicola Payne in 1991 are carrying out fresh woodland searches after receiving 'credible' new information.
The latest search was triggered after a man came forward telling police he saw two men 'acting suspiciously' around the time Nicola Payne disappeared.
Detective Chief Inspector Martin Slevin said: 'A new witness came forward and told us that he had seen two men acting suspiciously in the woods at the time Nicola went missing.
'When he returned to his car he saw them again and had a conversation with them. Based on this conversation, we believe it is credible new evidence.
'Officers have carried out searches, along with archaeologists, to examine the woodland.
'A number of items have been found, including animal bones, jewellery, and a cigarette lighter, but they have all been eliminated from the inquiry.
'Officers will continue searching for another week. The Payne family have been informed of all developments.'
Nothing of relevance to the suspected abduction and murder of Ms Payne has been found during several weeks of inquiries at Coventry's Coombe Country Park, West Midlands Police said.
He added that the witness only came forward recently after reading coverage of the search for Nicola and realised his information could be relevant.
Under the double jeopardy law, suspects who have been acquitted of a crime can only be prosecuted for the same offence if 'new and compelling' evidence is brought to light.
Police investigating the disappearance of teenage mother Nicola Payne in 1991 are carrying out fresh woodland searches after receiving 'credible' new information
Nicola Payne with her son Owen, 10 weeks before she disappeared on December 14, 1991 (left) and DCI Martin Slevin of West Midlands Police at Coombe Country Park in Coventry (right)
A lake at the 500-acre site was searched by police in April last year as part of an investigation into Ms Payne's disappearance
A lake at the 500-acre site was searched by police in April last year as part of an investigation into Ms Payne's disappearance.
The ongoing police operation has been supported by scientists from various fields and has seen searches involving cadaver dogs.
Ms Payne's family has been kept fully updated throughout the latest searches.
Mr Slevin added: 'December this year sees 25 years passing since Nicola disappeared but the information that brought us to this site demonstrates that there are still people out there with vital information that may assist.
'I would urge anyone who has yet to contact us to come forward and let us assess the value of the information you hold. It may be the piece of the jigsaw we are seeking.'
Mrs Payne wept outside court last November as her son told how the family was 'devastated and heavy-hearted'
Miss Payne, then aged 18, was last seen as she walked to her parents' home across waste ground in Wood End, Coventry, on December 14 1991.
Two men, both aged 51, were cleared of murdering her after a trial at Birmingham Crown Court last November.
Jurors at Birmingham Crown Court deliberated for around eight hours over three days before finding Thomas O'Reilly and Nigel Barwell not guilty of killing Ms Payne.
It came after defence teams accused police of a 'sloppy attitude' to the investigation and said 'forensic safeguards were non-existent'.
The family of Nicola Payne (pictured) spoke of their anguish at not knowing where she is
An artist's impression of Nigel Barwell (L) and Thomas O'Reilly (R) appearing at Birmingham Crown Court, who were last year cleared of Nicola's murder
Nicola's father John Payne wept in the public gallery and had to be consoled by other family members, who were also in tears, for five minutes after the judge had left.
Mr Payne and his wife Marilyn, who are both aged 71, later said in a statement: 'Nicola was not only our daughter, she was a loving mother to her son Owen and sister to her four older brothers.
'She deserves to be laid to rest. We cannot contemplate not knowing where Nicola is for another 24 years.'
As the verdicts were read to the court, Barwell, 51, punched the air and then mouthed 'Thank you very much' towards the jury, while O'Reilly, also 51, stood silently in the dock after he was acquitted.
The prosecution had alleged that O'Reilly and Barwell abducted and killed Miss Payne, aged 18, as she walked to her parents' home across waste ground on December 14 1991.
But Barwell, of Coventry, told the five-week trial that he and O'Reilly were drinking in Rugby on the day of Miss Payne's disappearance.
Both defendants were charged in January this year after DNA testing linked a tent recovered by police in 1991 to Miss Payne, whose body has never been found.
The police's handling of elements of the murder investigation was described as 'sloppy' by the defendants' lawyers.
The court heard how officers lost key pieces of evidence including Nicola's hairbrush, which was declared missing in 2007.
In his closing speech Mark Dennis QC, defending Barwell, said: 'The forensic safeguards in place at Little Park Street police station in 1991-92 were, in truth, non-existent.'
Rachel Brand QC, defending O'Reilly, also told the jury the police's 'desire to provide answers for the Payne family' had not resulted in any 'compelling' evidence.
Anyone with information should contact the investigation team on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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