Pictured: CCTV image of missing schoolgirl with 49-year-old man she ‘met on the internet’
18th January 2009
Detectives today named a middle-aged man they believe is with a missing 15-year-old schoolgirl.
Robert Andrew Williams, 49, who also uses the name Dave Ingram, is thought to be with Laura Stainforth.
The schoolgirl left her home in School Walk, Cleethorpes, north east Lincolnshire, at about 3.30pm on Wednesday and was reported missing six hours later when she failed to return home.
Humberside Police believe Laura arranged to meet a man she met on the internet.
Police have spoken to a member of the public who believes they saw Laura in Dover on Thursday.
Detective Chief Inspector Sharon Fielding, who is leading the investigation, said: ‘We are urging anyone who has seen Laura or Mr Williams to contact us.
‘I would also like to appeal to them directly to contact us – her family are worried about her as this disappearance is out of character for her.’
Humberside Police is working with several other police forces to follow up possible sightings and information.
Laura is described as white, of medium build with dark brown coloured shoulder length hair in a pony tail.
She was last seen wearing a fawn and cream coloured zip-up jacket with light blue coloured jeans and black coloured trainers.
Detectives investigated a sighting of Laura at Grimsby Railway Station with a man at around 5pm on Wednesday and it is believed they boarded a train to Doncaster purchasing another rail ticket upon arrival at the station.
It is believed they then boarded a train to London.
Although it is believed they were in Dover, it is not known if they are still in Dover, a force spokeswoman said.
Laura’s family were too distraught to talk but Laura’s cousin, Kirsty Williams, posted an appeal on the Grimsby Telegraph website urging her to get in touch.
Kirsty, who lives in Bath, said: ‘Laura, please get in contact with one of us. We are all very worried about you.’
‘No one is angry with you – we just want you home. Please just let us know you are okay.
‘I just hope my message does some good. We are all hoping that she will return safely.
‘It is awful but all we can do is think positive and hope for a good outcome.’
Laura’s aunt, Chrissie Williams, said: ‘Just come here if you want. Mum and dad won’t mind as long as you’re safe.
‘We need to know you’re okay, we won’t get mad or ask questions just call or text us.
‘We all love you, love.’
The teenager’s uncle, Tom Williams, added: ‘We are all worried about you. Even if you text one of us to say you are okay. We all miss you.’
Police said Mr Williams had links across the North of England and Scotland, although his current address is not known at this stage.
