five year old girl kidnapped, saw going into a van

[Lewis]

updates are here

Breaking News Search Intensifies For Missing Five-Year-Old (http://news.sky.com/story/991959/missing-april-jones-search-intensifies)

[Cerys]

Meh.

What is teh world coming to. I mean seriously, what sort of 'thrill' could any normal person get from taking a 5 year old?

[Lewis]

hi Samanfa; who is currently viewing this thread!!!!


and :Cerys; ikr. People are really sick, why do they do this... it's just awful. I really hope they find the girl safe! I'll be checking for updates hmm

[David]

i blame the parents
not that i care

[Cerys]

i blame the parents


tbh I agree that a 5 year old shouldn't of been left on her own, so to a certain degree it is the parents fault.

[lawrawrrr]

THIS IS REALLY CLOSE TO ME I AM GENUINELY SCARED


I see white vans driving around and I go into semi-ninja mode. It's a horrible thought what's happening right now but she shouldn't have been left alone.

[Catchy]

The five-year-old was playing with friends near her home in the Mid Wales town at around 7pm on Monday when she went missing.


Wth 7pm? 5 years old? I would've NEVER been allowed to do that... I don't even like finishing work at 8pm and having to walk home, scares the **** out of me.

[Red]

tbh I agree that a 5 year old shouldn't of been left on her own, so to a certain degree it is the parents fault.

She was only playing outside her house. 5 year olds should be allowed out to play with their friends. I know I was anyway. Wasn't like her mum left her for a long period of time. But idk if it was dark outside by that time.
Anyway thats really awful :( I hope she is found soon!

[xxMATTGxx]

It's dark now at 7pm isn't it? :S Either way doesn't mean it's ok to kidnap children just for the sake of it being the parents fault. Hope they can find her still being alive and well.

[Cerys]

She was only playing outside her house

Aah, see the article was too long to read so I just read small bits of it. Must've missed this info out, then!

[Catchy]

Although I don't agree with her being unsupervised I wouldn't blame it on the parents, they're probably going through enough as it is. They weren't to know she was going to be kidnapped, especially if she's played out a million times before.

[karter]

ugh just sick of people abducting and hurting children -_-

---------- Post added 02-10-2012 at 05:09 PM ----------


Although I don't agree with her being unsupervised I wouldn't blame it on the parents, they're probably going through enough as it is. They weren't to know she was going to be kidnapped, especially if she's played out a million times before.


I agree. plus blaming someone at this point won't help either

[Absently]

I dunno how people can say they don't care about it. I wouldn't blame the parents one bit as if you know any little children, they go missing so easily. It's impossible to keep track of the child every minute of the day. Who thinks their child is just going to go outside and go missing, especially if you live in an estate (that's what it looks like from the pictures) Like it says in the article, it seems like a very safe place where people trust each other. Also, you don't know that her parents weren't popping out the door every few minutes to check on her. I'm sure it takes only a minute to take a child, especially when the girl got in willingly. What is the world coming to if you can't even let your kid play outside?

[GoldenMerc]

This is disgusting, how / why does this keep happening...

[Samantha]

It's not fully dark at 7pm yet, I know it wasn't when I finished work at that time but I know when I was 5 I would only ever be allowed in the garden whilst my parents watched me through the kitchen or something but I don't think it's their fault exactly because as some said they weren't to know she would go missing! However, maybe the person who took her is someone she knew? Hence why she willingly got in the van instead of being forced as I know I'd know the danger of strangers at that age as my mum drilled it into me so much but really it's no one's fault other than the person who took her.

I hope she's back safely, it's becoming more of an occurrence that children especially are being abducted/kidnapped.

[Stephen]

Stupid parents. I'd only be allowed out of the garden if my mum was watching me all the time when I was 5

it's not the fact of her parent not knowing that she'd get abducted, it's more of a IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO MY KIDS type thing

Hate to be the voice of doom but chances of her being found alive are a bit on the slim side

:boohoo:

[FlyingJesus]

It's a town of 2000 people, mostly families and middle-aged hippie folk. Obviously one should always exercise caution with children but it's not like they were sending their kid out on her own to see what she could make of herself in an inner-city slum or something, she was out with a friend on a quiet estate just playing. A huge mistake, and one that will undoubtedly haunt them forever, but as Stephen says it's not the sort of thing you expect happening to you, much less in a place like that

[dirrty]

Meh.

What is teh world coming to. I mean seriously, what sort of 'thrill' could any normal person get from taking a 5 year old?
*REMOVED*

Edited by GoldenMerc - Please do not use language that isn't appropriate for this forum

[Cerys]

*SNIP*

That's true.
Edited by GoldenMerc - Please do not post pointlessly

[dirrty]

That's true.
Edited by GoldenMerc - Please do not post pointlessly
i don't even see how i got a warning for that. it was a legit answer to her question and didn't even swear; was just the main reason why a man would abduct another person :S therefore your post isn't even pointless lmao.

hopefully she'll be found anyway.

[Cerys]

i don't even see how i got a warning for that. it was a legit answer to her question and didn't even swear; was just the main reason why a man would abduct another person :S therefore your post isn't even pointless lmao.

hopefully she'll be found anyway.

Exactly haha. I was just saying that it's true that the people who could've taken her may be paedophiles, which you suggested xD


But yeah, too many crimes like this are occuring atm.

[FlyingJesus]

You won't get a proper response Akeem, it's Ross doing the moderation. Same guy who warned me for a post that was in direct reply to a thread while totally ignoring the multitude of people posting single word answers in it, even after reporting :P

And yes it's most likely that there's some sort of paedophilic desire driving the abduction, and these things do usually end verrrrrrrrrrry badly for the victim

[Ardemax]

A 46 year old man has just been arrested in connection with the abduction...

[Lee]

A 46 year old man has just been arrested in connection with the abduction...

Source please? :)

[Cerys]

Source please? :)

Breaking News Search Intensifies For Missing Five-Year-Old

[Sharon]

I'm going to be honest here, the chances of her being found alive and well would be slim right now. As soon as things like this get such massive media coverage it's likely the person who did kidnap her wouldn't want to keep her since they'd be found in a matter of time.

Felt horrible reading this last night from Twitter, obviously the above is just my realistic opinion and I do genuinely hope she is found. Shouldn't blame the parents.

[Calvin]

Apparently they've been looking for the man who was arrested since last night. They've also found a van near the river bank and have the Coastguard on scene.

http://www.itv.com/news/update/2012-10-02/april-jones-police-find-a-van-following-arrest/ (http://http://www.itv.com/news/update/2012-10-02/april-jones-police-find-a-van-following-arrest/)

It's great to see so many people from around the world supporting the cause on Twitter. Hope she gets found safe and well. :)

[j0rd]

Just heard on the local news that its been reported a vehicle which a crying family member in was driven into the road they have cordened off. Will probably be to identify the body but that's not confirmed yet.

So sad, especially when its only a small village in mid wales

[Cerys]

Just heard on the local news that its been reported a vehicle which a crying family member in was driven into the road they have cordened off. Will probably be to identify the body but that's not confirmed yet.

So sad, especially when its only a small village in mid wales

If it is to identify the body, that's such a shame.

What the hell is the world coming to... it's like.. do you think these people wake up one morning and plan to kidnap a 5 yr old and murder him/her?!

[Catchy]

Latest
18.07 A road has been closed off and a woman in tears was seen being driven through the police cordon, believed to be a relative of April Jones, BBC News reports.
17.58 Coastguards have been brought in to help with the search of waterways of the river Dyfi, BBC News reports.
17.55 A man arrested in connection with the abduction of April Jones was known to the five-year-old's family, it has emerged. Press Association is reporting that the man, who was not a relation, was arrested by a police patrol to the north of Machynlleth at around 3.30pm.
17.39 Sky News is reporting that an intensive search is underway along the closed section of road north of Machynlleth by the A487. It reports that the road is closed in both directions. A police helicopter is also in attendance.


Isn't looking good. So sad!!

[Cerys]

So! I'm assuming the arrested man - stated to be known to the family - took her, she got in because she knew him and 5 yr olds have SO much trust.


I'm still hoping for the best.. but I doubt it'll turn out like a fairytale.

[GoldenMerc]

So! I'm assuming the arrested man - stated to be known to the family - took her, she got in because she knew him and 5 yr olds have SO much trust.


I'm still hoping for the best.. but I doubt it'll turn out like a fairytale.

Yeh I'd say she knew him / her thus how she got into the van without a struggle sang that, cold be anything could even be saying what we got tofld at school not to accept "don't speak to stranger" "don't accept sweets or anything of stranges"

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[lawrawrrr]

HE WAS WALKING DOWN THE ROAD TO MY TOWN I AM QUITE SCARED


i think it's odd how ANOTHER child reported this... i know it's quiet there but seriously hardly LETS LET OUR KIDS PLAY OUT ON THE STREET ALL NIGHT quiet...

[Stephen]

Probs dead I'm afraid


Yeh I'd say she knew him / her thus how she got into the van without a struggle sang that, cold be anything could even be saying what we got tofld at school not to accept "don't speak to stranger" "don't accept sweets or anything of stranges"

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

*REMOVED*

Edited by Matts (Forum Super Moderator): Please do not be rude to others!

[j0rd]

HE WAS WALKING DOWN THE ROAD TO MY TOWN I AM QUITE SCARED


i think it's odd how ANOTHER child reported this... i know it's quiet there but seriously hardly LETS LET OUR KIDS PLAY OUT ON THE STREET ALL NIGHT quiet...

Hes in custody at Aberystwyth now, kind of weird. Apparently she was just walking from her neighbors house to her own house which was less that a 2 minute walk

[GoldenMerc]

Arrested man named as Mark Bridger

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[Catchy]

Arrested man named as Mark Bridger

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

facebookz him

[GoldenMerc]

facebookz him

Pass me a link when you can, on the Facebook group they are saying g his daughter was playing with April last night but meh meh all rumors

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[Chris]

It's such a horrible thing to read about when things like this happen. As much as I hope she is found alive and well, I don't think theres much hope of that.

[j0rd]

April Jones - Police press conference at 9.30pm in the Welsh Government Buildings in Aberystwyth
www.twitter.com/dyfedpowys

Reported that nothing significant will be said and also the family will read out

[karter]

I hope she is alive and safe or else I'll lose hope in humanity

[LiquidLuck.]

This is awful and anything like this makes me feel so disgusted about how there are people that do this in world >.<

[j0rd]

Press conference just finished, nothing major announced but here's some bits from it:


Police: we have recovered one vehicle which belongs to the individual in custody. Land rover discovery, left hand drive.

Next press conference will take place at 7.30am tomorrow morning. Any significant updates will be sent to the media throughout the night.
http://news.sky.com/story/992056/live-updates-search-for-missing-april-jones

Next press conference is at 7:30am

[lawrawrrr]

just saw the press conference, he's literally about 10 minutes from me. sends chills down the spine that does. me and a bunch of friends are thinking about heading up to machynlleth (sp) to help look tomorrow :(

[Catchy]

just saw the press conference, he's literally about 10 minutes from me. sends chills down the spine that does. me and a bunch of friends are thinking about heading up to machynlleth (sp) to help look tomorrow :(

At least there's still some decent people in the world (L)

[lawrawrrr]

At least there's still some decent people in the world (L)

i'm just so scared cos they're looking in rivers now, they think she's probably been murdered and dumped, so yeah :/ what if we found her dead?

[FlyingJesus]

It's a nice gesture and all but realistically what are the searchers planning to do? Are they breaking down doors and searching everyone's houses because I really don't think a child snatcher is likely to just drive them around for a couple of days and then drop them in a skip by McDonalds or something

[j0rd]

They have cordoned of an area, its almost going to be certain that shes within that area. I wouldn't bother heading up until they confirm that she was not in the area they have cordoned off

[Conspiracy.]

To be fair she was playing in her street. I live in a really, really small village like that and we tend to trust people more than we should. It's not her mother and father's fault, it's the creep who abducted her. Making her parents feel worse than they already do isn't helping anyone.

I hope to God she's okay :(

[GoldenMerc]

To be fair, i doubt shes dead as of yet. If anything he prob has a wife who has her hostage or something

[lawrawrrr]

It's a nice gesture and all but realistically what are the searchers planning to do? Are they breaking down doors and searching everyone's houses because I really don't think a child snatcher is likely to just drive them around for a couple of days and then drop them in a skip by McDonalds or something
the nearest mcdonalds is 45m drive from mac ;(

--

in all seriousness though if he has kids of the same age i think it's more likely she's gna be alive even though they were (at least yesterday) looking for a body, not a girl. so shocking he actually KNEW her too!!

---------- Post added 03-10-2012 at 01:18 PM ----------

The thing that's really bugging me is they keep saying there's no other links in the area but over the last year there's been like 4 attempted abductions in the penparcau area here, as well as the surrounding communities!!!

[-:Undertaker:-]

How awful, I do hope she is found safe and well.

---------- Post added 03-10-2012 at 03:43 PM ----------

I'd also add very quickly, those blaming the parents are beyond ridiculous. If you think back to your own childhood, there will have been times when you asked your parents to stay out 'just a little bit longer' and they've said yes - and that is all it takes, a minute lapse in attention (which we all make and will forever make). Indeed, she could just have easily have been taken at dinner time, 3pm or 5pm.

The person to blame is the person who has taken this little girl, not her heartbroken parents who certainly would never have expected anything like this to happen in the small town they live in.

[j0rd]

I'm not sure people know how much of a close knit village it is too.

My family live like 10 minutes away and they still leave their car keys in car 24/7 in-case anyone in the village needs to move it. Also when they go on holiday they leave the house open so others can go in if they need to.

They've released an image of the man today, and they are also now searching vacant farmhouses in the area

[Samantha]

They've arrested the man in question for murder apparently.

[sex]

How can they arrest someone for murder when there is no body or any proof she is dead. Are the police basically saying, thats it we are sure she is dead?

[Stephen]

Doubt they would turn it into murder if they had no proof

[j0rd]

Like above, they will need at least some proof to arrest him on suspicion of murder

[lawrawrrr]

On the train today (goes through Machynlleth), someone got on and was talking to me about it.

She knows someone who saw the man in question carrying a heavy-looking black bin bag around the time April went missing. And he has said something in questioning because they have now narrowed down their searches and are sending teams to certain places rather than just a 'general' search. This is probably the same reason why he's being held in custody longer - you can arrest someone on suspicion of murder without actual CONCRETE (per se) proof, it works to detain them a bit longer, in case he were to leave the country or something.

[FlyingJesus]

An arrest is not a charge

[lawrawrrr]

Okay, CHARGED with murder. My mistake.

[FlyingJesus]

What he hasn't been charged, that was my point. People above were talking as though you need evidence for a mere arrest, so I thought it was prudent to note the distinction between arrest and charge

[lawrawrrr]

yes he has

he was charged earlier today, but they don't have any solid evidence yet

[FlyingJesus]

THEN HE ISN'T CHARGED

omf how is this difficult to understand lol an arrest is when they take you into police custody which is what has happened. A charge is when you're found guilty, which requires evidence

[lawrawrrr]

um no you can get a warrant for an early charge which means you can detain someone basically

because you can only hold someone in arrest for like 72 hours (i think) without charging them

[FlyingJesus]

"Police have until 3.30pm tomorrow to quiz Mark Bridger further before they either have to charge or release him. (http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/missing-april-jones-live-updates-1355313)"

This afternoon they got a 24-hour extension to the arrest, that's still not a charge

[The Don]

Yeh, they can't charge him without substantial evidence (enough to have a trial anyway). Like you can be arrested on suspicion of committing a crime but you can't be charged on suspicion of committing a crime.

[Absently]

that's what was confusing me so much because on the radio and news they kept saying he was being charged, even though there was no evidence and he hasn't admitted to anything. oh how horrible, someone made a rip page for her on facebook :/

[GommeInc]

"Police have until 3.30pm tomorrow to quiz Mark Bridger further before they either have to charge or release him. (http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/missing-april-jones-live-updates-1355313)"

This afternoon they got a 24-hour extension to the arrest, that's still not a charge
I think the problem is with some news articles saying he is "being charged" with the alleged kidnapping/murder. It came up in ITV coverage. "Being charged with..." seems to be the new way of saying "being held over the allegation of..." I'm sure companies like ITV and the BBC used to love the phrase "being held in custody", but for some reason they're opting for the "charge" word, which is prosecuting before any fair trial.

[Abrood]

Why was she out at 7pm on her own riding a bike? That's the way I see it!

[sex]

Why was she out at 7pm on her own riding a bike? That's the way I see it!

She was with her friends in a small housing estate where she lived.... how many times have you been like 5 more minutes five more minutes....

[xxMATTGxx]

Why was she out at 7pm on her own riding a bike? That's the way I see it!

Doesn't matter if it was 7pm on her own, no one should just go and pick up and a kid and then do whatever with them lol.

[efq]

im pretty certain shes dead, especially after this long they usually are, i hope im wrong <3 :(

[FlyingJesus]

4 minutes until they have to charge or release Mark Bridger, and I've seen nothing suggesting that they've found any hard evidence against him yet

[wixard]

4 minutes until they have to charge or release Mark Bridger, and I've seen nothing suggesting that they've found any hard evidence against him yet

apparently they have sufficient evidence, he's been charged.

http://news.sky.com/story/994194/mark-bridger-charged-with-april-jones-murder

[lawrawrrr]

Been a helicopter hovering in pretty much the same place in Aber for half an hour now. Now he's been charged they must have concrete evidence or something, I'm still hoping she'll be okay although it's looking incredibly doubtful.

[wixard]

i'm gonna assume he's pulling an ian brady on it, and refusing to tell them where the body is

*******

[GoldenMerc]

i'm gonna assume he's pulling an ian brady on it, and refusing to tell them where the body is

*******

I don't get it, if hes being charged for murder, why won't he relieve the last part of April family and tell them where the body is :/

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[wixard]

I don't get it, if hes being charged for murder, why won't he relieve the last part of April family and tell them where the body is :/

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

probably because he's a sadistic piece of ****
or still hoping he can get away with it

she can't be declared dead if her body can't be presented

[FlyingJesus]

Well there we have it then, I'm glad there's some closure for the family at least with the right man having been caught and kept. Being charged with perverting the course of justice too since he was lying about his involvement. Court hearing on monday to sentence him fully. Really hope he lets them know where the body is if he hasn't already

[mrwoooooooo]

have they actually got any evidence or just guessing?

[wixard]

have they actually got any evidence or just guessing?

they can't charge him with no evidence....
there's obviously a lot they're not telling the public, which is within reason

[Lee]

have they actually got any evidence or just guessing?

I'm wondering if they've found a body because nothings been announced (I don't think) so why are they charging him with murder. I'm very curious.

Either way this must be hell for the parents :(

[BreakfastBacon]

Hope he didnt really murder her!

[lawrawrrr]

I'm wondering if they've found a body because nothings been announced (I don't think) so why are they charging him with murder. I'm very curious.

Either way this must be hell for the parents :(

they must have at least semi-evidence or they wouldn't be allowed to arrest him...

[FlyingJesus]

Yes they would, they wouldn't be allowed to charge him

[GoldenMerc]

So they can arrest someone for murder, without proof, just they couldn't charge them? That's absolutely ridiculous

[lawrawrrr]

So they can arrest someone for murder, without proof, just they couldn't charge them? That's absolutely ridiculous

You can arrest someone on the suspicion of murder. They have charged them because they clearly have some evidence or he has admitted to it. Or even hinted towards a big change in the case... they won't release the full details to the media now, if ever.

[mrwoooooooo]

You can arrest someone on the suspicion of murder. They have charged them because they clearly have some evidence or he has admitted to it. Or even hinted towards a big change in the case... they won't release the full details to the media now, if ever.
everyone will know full details on monday when he's in court

[Cerys]

Perhaps there's a possibility that there has been a body found but her family has requested it not to be made public?
Like, they might not feel happy that the public know about their daughters death or something.

[Ardemax]

The thought of that girl being taken away in a van and murdered is sickening.

[Grig]

not a fan on how the media are covering this story. It's all part of making a dramatic event rolling news.

Hope it turns out alright for her.

[xxMATTGxx]

not a fan on how the media are covering this story. It's all part of making a dramatic event rolling news.

Hope it turns out alright for her.

You do realise she is most likely dead? I know that doesn't sound very nice but yeah.

[wixard]

not a fan on how the media are covering this story. It's all part of making a dramatic event rolling news.

Hope it turns out alright for her.

i don't see a problem with how they're covering it... it's what people want to see
most people have a morbid fascination with these kind of things

[j0rd]

If hes been charged for Murder, they will be almost certain/definite that she is dead
Sorry to put it blunt

[GoldenMerc]

Eugh, pretty upsetting ^;
http://icap.me/i/0TZfcULYzr.png

[efq]

The Police aren't letting anything on, they must have some pretty hard evidence to charge him that we don't know. Because they haven't found her body so to use we can't understand how you can accuse someone of murder without hard evidence, plus it sort of is a risky move because in the EXTREMELY unlikely case they find her alive, he won't be getting a fair trial regardless, which everyone is entitled too.

Nonetheless, they must have something they haven't told us and if they really believe that then he can rot in hell for all I care.

/rant

[Ardemax]

Unfortunately this story had the worst ending, the searches are off and he's been charged with murder. So yeah, RIP April.