This in from the police, in their own words. Ed
Police are highlighting this Monday (November 2, 2015) as 19 years since the disappearance of teenager Damien Nettles on the Isle of Wight.
Hampshire Constabulary’s files for this case remain open to receive any new facts anyone may have about what happened to the 16-year-old from Gurnard on the island.
The last confirmed sighting of Damien on surviving available CCTV was in Yorkie’s fish and chip shop off Cowes High Street at 11.35pm during a night out on Saturday, November 2, 1996.
Damien was also positively identified by his family from CCTV of Cowes High Street at 12.02am on Sunday, November 3, 1996. This footage showed Damien walking to a bus stop and then back along the High Street eating his chips.
When he disappeared, Damien was described as:
- White
- Six foot three inches tall
- slim build
- short brown hair, shaved at the back
- brown eyes
He was last seen wearing:
- A black fleece jacket
- Dark blue jeans
- Black boots
Detectives from Hampshire Constabulary continue to make regular checks of the files of this case, which is not closed.
Checks include:
- Analysing the credibility of any new information that may be given to police.
- Contacting HM Coroner’s officers about the discoveries of any unidentified bodies similar to Damien’s description.
- Working with the Nettles family on any opportunities to maintain public awareness of the case.
No new lines of enquiry have been identified by Hampshire Constabulary over the past year.
Previous police actions in this case include:
- 1,134 people have been involved in the investigation (either as investigators, witnesses, or people of interest) since Damien Nettles disappeared on November 2, 1996.
- 357 witness statements have been taken to date since November 2, 1996.
- 2,553 documents have been reviewed and processed.
- Between 2010 and 2012, it was necessary for detectives to concentrate on analysing and acting upon the information already passed to police by the local community.
- This analysis led police in 2011 to arrest eight people who were questioned over the course of a year, and later released with no further action.
- Officers focused on completing existing enquiries while multiple suspects were on bail. We did not charge anyone with a criminal offence.
- Murder or foul play cannot be ruled out.
- Hampshire Constabulary offered a £20,000 reward between October 4, 2012 and April 4, 2013 for facts leading to the location of Damien Nettles.
- Police received 30 reports of information.
- Each of the 30 reports of information has been analysed and assessed in line with police procedures.
- None of the information led to new lines of enquiry. However, the case was not closed.
- A decision was made in November 2013 for the files on Damien Nettles to remain open for ongoing checks, following an extensive review of all information gathered.
How to contact police if you have new facts
Anyone with new facts about Damien or his disappearance can contact police by phoning 101 or emailing [email protected]
Mini-com users can phone 18001 101. Information can be given anonymously by phoning the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
For more information, go online
