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Remains found in the loft space of a house have been formally identified as those of missing teenager Leah Croucher.

The 19-year-old disappeared on her way to work at a finance company in Milton Keynes on 15 February 2019.

A murder investigation was launched last week after the discovery of the remains in a house in the city in Buckinghamshire.

An aerial view of the rear of a property in Loxbeare Drive, Furzton, Milton Keynes
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The house in Milton Keynes where Ms Croucher’s remains were found

A post mortem examination last week did not uncover her cause of death and investigations are continuing, police said.

Items belonging to Ms Croucher were also found in the property in Loxbeare Drive, Furzton, which is a few minutes away from her home.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Kevin Brown, head of the major crime unit at Thames Valley Police, said: “After a difficult process, we are now in a position to formally confirm that the body found in Loxbeare Drive last week is that of Leah.”

Ms Croucher’s family continue to be supported by specially trained officers and updated on every development, Det Supt Brown said.

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“The grief and shock of Leah’s family and friends is unimaginable, and they have shown enormous courage, patience and dignity over the last three years and eight months while our search for Leah continued.”

A tribute by Leah Croucher's father John Croucher and Mother Claire Croucher outside a property in Loxbeare Drive, Furzton, Milton Keynes, where police have identified human remains during forensic examinations in the search for missing teenager Leah Croucher who disappeared while walking to work in February 2019. Officers from Thames Valley Police began searching the house after a tip-off from a member of the public on Monday, and launched a murder inquiry when they found a rucksack and other personal belongings of Ms Croucher's. Picture date: Thursday October 13, 2022.
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A tribute left by Leah Croucher’s parents

‘Our darkest fears have come true’

Last week Ms Croucher’s parents, Claire and John, laid flowers at the property where her remains were found.

They said they would “cherish her memories forever”, writing in a message: “Our darkest fears have come true, we only need to be apart a little longer. We have so missed you for so long already.

“The future looks so bleak now we know we will never see your smile or hear your laughter again. We will cherish your memories forever. We love you. Mum and Dad xx xx”.

Her grandparents also left roses near the house, along with a handwritten note saying: “Our darling, we will never stop seeking answers. Will love and miss you always.”

Leah Croucher went missing in Milton Keynes
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Leah Croucher went missing on 15 February, 2019

Missed opportunities to arrest prime suspect

Convicted sex offender Neil Maxwell was named by police this month as the prime suspect in the murder inquiry.

He was found dead on 20 April 2019 after taking his own life.

Police started searching the property on 10 October this year after receiving a tip-off from a member of the public.

Officers had visited the house on two earlier occasions but insisted this was the first time Ms Croucher’s disappearance was linked to the address – despite conducting about 4,000 house-to-house calls.

They changed their investigation from a missing person’s probe to a murder inquiry after discovering the remains.

Neil Maxwell
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Neil Maxwell

It has since emerged Maxwell was the only person with keys to the house, which was unoccupied when police were conducting their inquiries.

He was wanted in connection with a sexual assault and used false names and changed his mobile phone and vehicles to avoid police.

The force made a total of 18 attempts to arrest Maxwell – initially at an address in Milton Keynes on 30 November 2018.

Police said if he was alive today, they would be seeking to arrest him.

Mr Brown added: “Our investigations into Leah’s murder will leave no stone unturned and we owe it to Leah’s family to ensure we find the truth.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting Op Innsbruck or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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Boy, 16, shot dead in south London

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Boy, 16, shot dead in south London

A teenage boy has been shot dead in south London.

The Metropolitan Police said the 16-year-old was killed on Paradise Road, near Stockwell Tube Station.

Officers were called to the scene around 3.20pm on Tuesday to reports of a shooting.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance, the teenager was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement, the Met Police said that no arrests had been made and it had launched a murder investigation.

Officers were also working to identify the teenager and contact his next of kin.

‘Enormously shocking incident’

Superintendent Gabriel Cameron said: “This is an enormously shocking incident which I imagine will cause huge distress to the local community.

“Our thoughts are with the young boy’s family at this devastating time.

“Local officers are on the scene gathering CCTV and speaking to witnesses to piece together what has happened.

“They will be supported by specialist homicide investigators shortly.”

He added that police would work “around the clock” to find the perpetrators.

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Bill Dare: Spitting Image producer dies after accident abroad

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Bill Dare: Spitting Image producer dies after accident abroad

Comedy writer Bill Dare, – who worked on shows including Spitting Image and Dead Ringers – has died after an accident overseas, his agent said.

Described as a “super producer” by his peers, Dare, 64, worked on eight series of hugely popular satire puppet show Spitting Image.

Airing on ITV during the 1980s and 1990s, the show delighted in lampooning public figures including politicians, celebrities and royalty, winning BAFTAs and Emmys. It was rebooted in 2020.

Dare also created Dead Ringers, a comedy impressions show broadcast on BBC Radio 4.

He also produced The Now Show, a satirical take on the news which ran on Radio 4 from 1998 to 2024.

Dare worked on a wide range of comedy shows during his career, including the radio production of The Mary Whitehouse Experience in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He had also written several novels.

In a statement released on Monday, his agent JFL Agency confirmed he died at the weekend.

A spokesperson said: “We are shocked and greatly saddened to have to announce the death of our brilliant client Bill Dare, who died at the weekend following an accident overseas.

“Our thoughts are with his wife Lucy, daughter Rebecca, and with all of Bill’s family and friends who will be devastated by his loss.

“Bill was a truly legendary producer and writer, and his comedy instincts were second to none.”

Pic: ITV/Shutterstock
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Oasis depicted on Spitting Image in 1996. Pic: ITV/Shutterstock

Colleagues were quick to pay tribute and reflect on his talent.

Impressionist Jon Culshaw wrote on X: “It’s impossible to express the unreal sense of loss at the passing of the incredible Bill Dare. The wisest comedy alchemist and the dearest, dearest friend. Much love to Lucy and all Bill’s family and friends. We shall all miss him more than we can say.”

David Baddiel posted on the social media platform: “Just heard that the original producer of The Mary Whitehouse Experience on radio, Bill Dare, has died. Bill was an amazing creative force. I owe him much. RIP.”

Former EastEnders actress Tracy-Ann Oberman said she was “devastated” and that her “entire comedy career was down to Bill”.

She wrote: “When I was on the BBC Radio 4 rep company early on in career – I ran into Bill in the corridors – He asked if I was good at accents. I said yes.

“He cast me in a sketch show. I had to do about 15 different accents. We recorded in front of a live audience at Broadcasting House – afterwards Bill said ‘Why have I never met you – you’re going to have a big career’.

“He was incredibly loyal and supportive and really opened a path for me into the R4 comedy world and then TV having come out of the RSC and theatre it was all new. I will always be grateful. Fly high Bill.”

Comedian and writer Mark Steel wrote: “This is so grim. Bill was a compassionate hearty soul with the ability to be beautifully grumpy, a marvellously thoughtful comic mind.

“He’d argue but always listen and you’d always laugh, he made a million shows and wanted them all to matter and would have made a million more.”

Have I Got News for You writer Pete Sinclair said: “I am utterly devastated by Bill’s death. I still can’t believe it. He was a comedy genius. A hugely talented writer as well as a brilliant producer. A close friend and co-writer. I cannot begin to say how much I’ll miss him.”

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Julia McKenzie, comedy commissioner for Radio 4, said: “I am so terribly sorry to hear this tragic news and my thoughts are with Bill’s wife, family and friends.

“Bill has been a huge part of Radio 4 comedy for decades, as a writer and producer, and listeners will have heard his legendary name at the end of many of their favourite shows.

“Bill was a comedy obsessive, and very instinctive about making the funniest choices when it came to writing, directing and editing.

“He cared so much about his work that in the production booth during Dead Ringers you’d see him crouched over the script, utterly focused on the show.

“He was funny and very dry in person, amusingly cynical when he needed to be and always pushed to keep the comedy he made, and particularly satire, spiky.

“I’ve known and worked with him for 18 years and like many I can’t believe he has gone, he will leave a big hole in the comedy world and in our hearts.”

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‘Corrupt’ ex-prison officer who boasted about performing sex act on inmate jailed

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'Corrupt' ex-prison officer who boasted about performing sex act on inmate jailed

An ex-prison officer who boasted about performing a sex act on an inmate who “manipulated” her has been jailed. 

Mother-of-one Katie Evans, 26, burst into tears in court as the judge described how she was “corrupted” by an “experienced criminal” not long after she started work at Doncaster Prison when she was just 21.

As well as starting an intimate relationship with the prisoner, Daniel Brownley, Evans had more than 140 phone calls with him, moved money around bank accounts for him, and supplied him with information the prison held on him, the court heard.

Brownley had been jailed in 2016 for attempted robbery, burglary and handling stolen goods, the court heard.

“It appears you indulged in some form of sexual activity in the prison. It has been described that on one occasion you had oral sex with him,” Judge Jeremy Richardson KC told Evans at Sheffield Crown Court.

“It is truly a terrible situation for a judge to be passing sentence on a former prison officer who has been branded a corrupt prison officer.”

Judge Richardson told Evans “he corrupted you and not the reverse”, adding: “I’m entirely satisfied you were manipulated by an experienced criminal to assist him.”

He said Evans was “young and immature” at the time but added: “Your misconduct materially affected the good order and discipline of the prison.”

“You were inexperienced and immature but that is, however, no excuse for what you did.”

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Judge Richardson said the sentence of 21 months should have been longer but, “purely as an act of mercy”, he reduced it to take into account the effect it will have on Evans’ relationship with her young daughter and the difficulties she will have in prison as a former officer.

Evans, of Hatfield, Doncaster, admitted misconduct in a public office at a previous hearing.

Still crying, she waved at family members in the public gallery as she was led from the dock.

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