Teenager held over woman's murder

A TEENAGER was released on police bail last night after being questioned on suspicion of murdering a woman who has gone missing from her home.

The 18-year-old from Clacton was arrested on Saturday and questioned over two days at the town's police station by detectives investigating the disappearance of mother of two Sandra Gant.

Miss Gant, 48, who lives alone in a block of flats and bedsits in Wellesley Road in Clacton, has been missing for more than a month and was last seen by her family on November 14.

Essex Police said they had not found Miss Gant's body and it was possible she was still alive, but added they had received information that had led them to believe she might have been murdered.

Miss Gant's parents, David and Rita, flew back from their home in Spain to help with the search, but it is believed they have now returned to the continent after meeting with police on Friday.

Detectives, led by Detective Superintendent Gareth Wilson, of Essex Police's major investigation team, based in Stanway, have now taken over the inquiry.

Miss Gant was well-known in Clacton and was often seen sitting on benches with other people drinking outside town centre shops.

Neighbours who live in the same block of flats as Miss Gant said they shocked by the arrest as they watched police arrive at the complex to comb her room for evidence.

John Appleyard, 74, who has lived in his bedsit for four years, said he had always been “worried for her”.

He added: “She used to come down here and borrow money off me or use my phone. You used to hear a bit of noise coming from her flat upstairs, but I try to keep out of the way. I think she had a bit of a miserable life.”

Miss Gant's daughters both live in nearby St Osyth and a friend of Carrie Cheasley, her eldest daughter, said they were deeply upset by the latest event.

Anyone with information or who may have seen Miss Gant recently should contact the major investigation team on 01206 762122 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.