Didcot teenager arrested over Claudia Lawrence Facebook hoax (From York Press)

Didcot teenager arrested over Claudia Lawrence Facebook hoax

9:50am Thursday 18th February 2010 in

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A TEENAGER has been arrested and cautioned by police for posting a bogus message on Facebook claiming to be from missing York chef Claudia Lawrence.

The message appeared on the social networking site in November and read: “Hi everyone just let you be aware that I am ok and I am safe and sound. Speak to you all soon. Claudia. xxx.”

Yesterday, following extensive police inquiries, an 18-year-old man from Didcot, in Oxfordshire, was taken into police custody for questioning, where he admitted making a malicious communication and wasting police time.

He was cautioned for these offences.

Martin Dales, a friend and spokesman for Claudia’s father, Peter Lawrence, said he was angry police had been forced to waste time and resources investigating the hoax.

He said: “It was a cruel thing to do and caused great distress and offence to Peter, the family and friends and the general public who expressed their disgust on findclaudia.co.uk and Facebook. As I said at the time it happened, an apology might be appropriate after causing such hurt.

“As the person has confessed it is a hoax, it means those who love and are concerned for Claudia’s well-being can now know that that is the case and carry on with the campaign to find her without this distraction hanging over us all.”

Claudia’s best friend, Suzy Cooper, added: “It was really hard to read a message like that and it is annoying that it has wasted such a lot of police time. Police could have been concentrating on things that are important, rather than on someone playing games on the internet.”

Detective Superintendent Ray Galloway, of North Yorkshire Police, said yesterday’s arrest showed the police’s determination to “pursue anybody that undertakes such malicious and irresponsible behaviour”.

He said: “The posting of this message on Facebook, claiming to be Claudia Lawrence, caused significant anxiety and distress to Claudia’s family and also diverted valuable police resources to pursue a line of enquiry that had no value.”

Claudia, 35, of Heworth Road, was last seen 11 months ago today, and police are treating her disappearance as suspected murder, with a £10,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible.

Det Supt Galloway said the investigation would continue for as long as there were positive lines of inquiry to pursue.

Mr Lawrence was today travelling to Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool Lime Street stations to put up posters and make a fresh plea for information.

Mr Dales said: “Claudia enjoys visiting the North West and, as well as seeing her sister.

“We hope that by being here, further information of use to the police may be forthcoming from those that know or have known Claudia.”

• If you have information to help the investigation, phone North Yorkshire Police on 0845 60 60 247, or phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.