UK UK - Charlene Downes, 14, Blackpool England, Nov 2003

[Bluebear15]

ie noticed iin crime reporting there is definite home counys bias charlene probley dident get on the front page beouse she dident live in the south east region is more important than class and race

Charlene didn't make the front page because she was a teenager who pften stayed away from home, plus there was no evidence of an abduction. Also, her parents didn't report her missing for several days. It's young children who make the front pages usually. Jmo
None of the kids in my post lived in the xouth east.

 

[Earth]

I think that depends on your definition of working class...Sarah Payne, Holly Wells/Jessica Chapman, and Robert Black's victims came from working class families, and all made the front pages. All imo.

James lived in one of the poorest parts of Britain, in the middle of the city to boot. Sarah, Jessica and Holly and two of Black's British victims disappeared in the 'harmless' countryside.

 

[mrC]

the papers also only publish were the police give them somthing how intrested the press are depends on how intrested the police are how intrested the police are depends if they thinkthere foul play inolved or sheits just a runaway they tend to judge this on weather kids has run away before or not as soon as the knew charlene had stayed away beore they would of put as a run away and they dont brief the press for runaways or pull out all the stops to find them

 

[Bluebear15]

James lived in one of the poorest parts of Britain, in the middle of the city to boot. Sarah, Jessica and Holly and two of Black's British victims disappeared in the 'harmless' countryside.

Working class people can live (or disappear) in the countryside you know. Two of Black's victims were abducted from cities. I re-iterate that all the kids i mentioned came from working class familys and made the front page.

 

[mrC]

you woul think the police might take some more intrest considering the peoplel odging with the downes family one of them was on bail for a srious sex crime he was later conicted of and the police must of known this becouse he would o had to report to them pretty often

 

[sportstergirl]

Yet another paedophile caught in a sting in Blackpool has Bob Downes on his friends page. The Downes family have allowed paedophiles around their family for years going back to 1989.

 

[sportstergirl]

Another version of the last time Karen saw Charlene in Saturday's Sun "newspaper"! Karen now claims to have last seen her on Blackpool Promenade!

 

[ISarahlouise]

they get no sympathy from me whether they themselves killed her or not.

the way they are STILL friends with multiple pedos, some of whom were around charlene, is very telling. they can go on their anti muslim and immigrant rants all they want but we all know they’re hypocrites.

sorry this case really frustrates me

 

[Inspectordreyfus]

New to Websleuths but not the case. Does anyone remember any details as to the (alleged or confirmed) whereabouts of Karen, Bob and Becky Downes, John McNally and Ray Munro and anyone else who visited the house who had contact with them on the Sunday. I can remember more about the varied info Saturday but can't remember much about statements for Sunday. Also, interested in anyone local remember if Passions Swingers club next to 109 had anyone would likely be occupying the building throughout that day or whether it would normally be empty on a Sunday? I am actually relatively local but not an area I would have been too familiar with.

 

[sportstergirl]

RIP Charlene, 21 years missing today.

 

[mrC]

the cops lack of interest in the family lodgers seems strange considering what they knew about them

 

[mrC]

she may of abused by the kebab workers but they didn't kill her

 

[dotr]

By Richard Hunt
8th Feb 2025 rbbm

https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/im-renewing-my-call-for-an-independent-inquiry-into-child-sexual-exploitation-in-blackpool-4981667

''Campaigners are renewing calls for an independent inquiry into child sexual exploitation and grooming gangs in Blackpool.
They say the issue is still as relevant as ever but are frustrated that nothing is being done about it.
There were heated exchanges at Blackpool Council last month as councillors debated calls for the resort to be part of a national inquiry into child grooming gangs while campaigners looked on from the public gallery.''

''She said: “An inquiry is needed to uncover the truth, hold those responsible to account, and finally bring justice to victims like Charlene Downes and many other vulnerable children who were exploited and failed by the very systems meant to protect them.
“Unlike other towns across the country, Blackpool has never had an inquiry. This has left the extent of the problem hidden in the shadows, denying victims the justice they so desperately deserve.''

 

[imstilla.grandma]

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said at the time that police errors in gathering evidence had contributed to the second trial's collapse.

Karen Downes said: "It would mean everything to get answers as we live in limbo, especially if it helped get justice for Charlene and all the other girls affected by grooming gangs."

There is a £100,000 reward on offer for information leading to a conviction in the case.

Charlene Downes: Missing teen's mum wants grooming gangs inquiry

The mum of missing Charlene Downes says she is "living in limbo" and wants justice for her daughter.

www.bbc.com

 

[Bluebear15]

Karen and Bob make up a grooming gang all by themselves. Jmo, moo

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Karen Downes says an inquiry is needed into grooming gangs - including in Blackpool

Her mother, Karen Downes, told the BBC that she was "living in limbo" and wanted justice for her daughter, who has now been missing for more than 21 years

My daughter went missing 21 years ago. It's time for a grooming gang inquiry

The mother of missing teenager Charlene Downes is backing calls for an inquiry into grooming gangs.

www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com

 

[Mrs Marple]

All these years and no closer to justice for Charlene.

 

[Inspectordreyfus]

I know there are independent investigations, but is it possible Blackpool Police are still investigating the Downes and their associates in the shadows and that's why they have left them alone? Wishful thinking perhaps? This is a bit macabre, but most of the people associated with Downes don't drive but it wasn't long before Bonfire night...I suppose that could present an opportunity for disposal.

I'm fixated on this element of it - body disposal - because I wouldn't think any of their nonce gang drive and that part of Blackpool is so busy.

Another thing I can't help thinking of is that Bobs Ewing and Downes were at least acquaintances. When questioned about where Paige Chivers was buried, Gareth Dewhurst wouldn't say because it was "too dangerous". At that time, I thought it was because he was scared of Ewing. But now Ewing is 3 years dead so why not tell now?

Anyway, I think the key to this is looking at all of the initial suspects before the police focused on Albhatikki and Raveshi and look at who had access to a vehicle and possibly any property not associated with the Downes or their closer circle where Charlene could have been taken, alive or dead at that time.

 

[mrC]

the lodgers should of been the number one suspects from day one she had made a compliant against one of them 8 days before she went missing

 

[Inspectordreyfus]

the lodgers should of been the number one suspects from day she had made a compliant against one of them 8 days before she went missing

Absolutely. That's another thing. In the Blackpool area at that time, I knew of people having their children removed by social services for much less and without the huge series of worse events many times before...given the severity of the complaint and everything social services was already aware of....why did it take so long. It can't be a generic failure of Blackpool social services because I know they dealt with less severe matters much more swiftly. I can't help but feel it is more than just incompetence somehow.

Who and how many people were aware of the complaint lodged with social services whether told by Charlene herself or becoming aware by other means?

the lodgers should of been the number one suspects from day she had made a compliant against one of them 8 days before she went missing