Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Libby Squire update: Police charge man with voyeurism and burglary as search for missing student continues

Pawel Relowicz, 24, is remanded in custody to appear in court on Monday

Peter Stubley
Sunday 10 February 2019 19:04 EST
Missing Libby Squire: What we know so far

Police investigating the disappearance of university student Libby Squire have charged a man with burglary, voyeurism and outraging public decency.

Pawel Relowicz, 24, was originally arrested on suspicion of abducting the 21-year-old woman, who has not been seen since she went missing on 31 January.

Detectives were granted until 9pm on Sunday to question him as they continued to search his home in Raglan Street, Hull.

Shortly after the deadline, Humberside Police confirmed that Mr Relowicz had been charged with three counts of burglary, voyerism and outraging public decency relating to offences reported between December 2017 and 19 January this year.

The force said they were continuing the investigate the disappearance of Ms Squire, a philosophy student at the University of Hull.

Detective Superintendent Matt Hutchinson said: “A 24 year old man remains under investigation. Our priority remains to find Libby and support her family at this incredibly distressing time.”

Earlier on Sunday Ms Squire’s family attended a prayer vigil as officers continued their 10-day search.

Mother Lisa Squire and her husband, Russ, have previously made emotional pleas for information about their daughter’s disappearance. They said in a statement: “We have been overwhelmed with people’s kindness and support and it’s been incredible how all her friends, students at the university, and members of the public have joined together to help us look for her.”

Police have said Ms Squire was dropped off in a taxi near her home on Wellesley Avenue at 11.29pm on 31 January, and was seen 10 minutes later on CCTV near a bench on Beverley Road.

A motorist stopped to offer help but she is believed to have remained in this area until around 12.10am. An “urgent, panicked scream” was heard at around 12.30am, according to a neighbour. Ms Squire was reported missing in the early hours of the morning.

Officers are believed to be examining CCTV footage which shows a man getting in and out of a car around the time of Libby Squire’s disappearance, close to where the missing student was last seen.

Announcing the charging of Mr Relowicz, Det Supt Hutchinson said: “An offence of outraging public decency was reported to have taken place on 19 January 2019 in Hull and an offence of voyeurism was reported on the 26 December 2018 in Hull.

“The three burglaries were reported between December 2017 and January 2019.

“He has been remanded in custody and is will appear at Hull Magistrates Court tomorrow morning.”

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

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