Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Mother of murdered boy is arrested

Glenda Cooper
Thursday 19 January 1995 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The mother of six-year-old Rikki Neave was arrested yesterday by detectives investigating his murder.

Ruth Neave, 26, was detained early yesterday morning and remained in custody last night as questioning continued.

Rikki's naked body was found, after a huge police search, in undergrowth in a copse only 500 yards from his home in Redmile Walk on the Welland Estate, Peterborough, on 30 November.

The day before he had played truant from Welland County Primary, and his mother reported him missing that evening.

The last confirmed sighting was at 6.30pm on 29 November outside a row of shops with a group of children. Eighteen hours later his body was found and 150 yards away his clothes were found in a dustbin. A post mortem examination showed he had been strangled, but not sexually assaulted.

Neighbours described the chubby schoolboy, one of four children, as "a lovable rogue". More than 100 officers were assigned to the case and last month two teenagers were arrested and questioned about the murder. They were released without charge.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in