Murdered schoolboy Rikki Neave was ‘seen alive on night he vanished’

The six-year-old was seen outside a shop between 6.30pm and 7pm on the evening he was reported missing, a court was told

James Watson was arrested in Libson after posting selfies of him drinking in the sunshine

Murdered schoolboy Rikki Neave was seen alive and well outside a shop on the night he was reported missing, a former police officer has revealed.

James Watson was 13 when it is alleged he strangled six-year-old Rikki in Peterborough on November 28 1994, the Old Bailey has heard.

Witnesses for the prosecution have described seeing the boys together on the Welland Estate earlier that day.

Rikki’s mother, Ruth Neave, reported him missing at 6pm and his body was found stripped and posed in nearby woods the following day, November 29.

Watson’s DNA was allegedly found on Rikki’s clothes, which were recovered from a wheelie bin.

On Tuesday, a witness called by Watson’s defence claimed to have seen Rikki between 6.30pm and 7pm on the day he was allegedly killed.

Stuart Duffy told jurors he used to buy speed from Ms Neave and would see Rikki nearly every day when he lived on” the estate.

Giving evidence by video link from Great Yarmouth, Mr Duffy said of Rikki: “He was a right cocky little one. I liked him.”

He said children on the estate used to call him “Jingle Bells” because he wore bells on his shoes.

Ruth Neave, mother of Rikki, appearing via video link at the Old Bailey (Elizabeth Cook/PA) (PA Wire)

On the evening of November 28 1994, Mr Duffy said he went to a local shop to buy alcohol and tobacco.

He said he saw Rikki with his BMX bike outside and asked him to look after his dog while he was in the shop.

When he came out, he thanked Rikki, who told him he was going to stay around the shop, jurors were told.

Under cross-examination, Mr Duffy said he was an alcoholic and had drunk a couple of high strength lagers already that day.

Nathan Rasiah QC, prosecuting, suggested he had not mentioned the BMX or leaving his dog with Rikki in earlier statements to police.

Mr Rasiah said: “Mr Duffy, you have told us you seeing Rikki was a very regular occurrence. You have seen him very often.

A policeman leaving flowers at Welland County Primary School in Peterborough, the school of murdered Rikki (PA) (PA Wire)

“You have told us, on the day in question – as with other days – you had been drinking during the day.

“You said at the time it affected your memory of the day’s events, the fact you had been drinking and smoking drugs.

“I’m going to suggest you were mistaken on seeing Rikki Neave that day on November 28 1994.

“You may have seen him on days before, but not on the evening of November 28.”

Mr Duffy replied: “I cannot say now because it was years and years ago.”

Watson, now 40, of no fixed address, denies murder. The trial continues.