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Body found in search for missing James Prout Body found in search for missing James Prout
(35 minutes later)
A body has been found in the search for missing James Prout, who has not been seen for more than a month. Five people have been arrested on suspicion of murder following the 43-year-old’s disappearance.A body has been found in the search for missing James Prout, who has not been seen for more than a month. Five people have been arrested on suspicion of murder following the 43-year-old’s disappearance.
Officers looking for Prout made the discovery a short distance from his home on St Stephen’s Way in Percy Main, on Tyneside. They had received a call on Good Friday expressing concern about him.Officers looking for Prout made the discovery a short distance from his home on St Stephen’s Way in Percy Main, on Tyneside. They had received a call on Good Friday expressing concern about him.
A major search of properties and open land near Prout’s home in North Tyneside was undertaken after Northumbria police were called to a violent incident at an address in the street. Inquiries into the circumstances around his disappearance led detectives to believe he was murdered.A major search of properties and open land near Prout’s home in North Tyneside was undertaken after Northumbria police were called to a violent incident at an address in the street. Inquiries into the circumstances around his disappearance led detectives to believe he was murdered.
Police said men aged 26 and 42 and women aged 55, 49 and 25, who were arrested on suspicion of murder and came from Mr Prout’s “circle of friends”, remained in custody.Police said men aged 26 and 42 and women aged 55, 49 and 25, who were arrested on suspicion of murder and came from Mr Prout’s “circle of friends”, remained in custody.
Prout’s ex-partner Anne Corbett, 25, was also reported missing on Friday morning. She has been found safe and well, Northumbria police said. Prout’s ex-partner Anne Corbett was also reported missing on Friday morning. She has been found safe and well, Northumbria police said.
Supt Peter Bent said: “Our officers have been speaking to a number of people and searches have been conducted on St Stephen’s Way and in the area surrounding it.Supt Peter Bent said: “Our officers have been speaking to a number of people and searches have been conducted on St Stephen’s Way and in the area surrounding it.
“As a result of those searches, police have found a body a short distance from his home address. Formal identification is yet to take place but we are fairly certain that it is James Prout.”“As a result of those searches, police have found a body a short distance from his home address. Formal identification is yet to take place but we are fairly certain that it is James Prout.”
Bent sought to reassure the local community, describing it as an “isolated incident between people who were known to each other” and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.Bent sought to reassure the local community, describing it as an “isolated incident between people who were known to each other” and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
A white police tent was set up outside the front door of a red-brick terraced house, set in a block of four homes with front gardens.
Officers have cordoned off the street while forensic specialists in white suits were working inside the house. Locals gathered to watch the police activity.
A neighbour said: “I don’t know what has happened here. All I know is there has been a tragedy.”
Extra patrols will be on duty over the weekend and anyone with information about Prout’s movements is asked to call 101.Extra patrols will be on duty over the weekend and anyone with information about Prout’s movements is asked to call 101.
He is described as white, of slim build, around 5ft 9in tall, with very short brown hair and some facial hair.He is described as white, of slim build, around 5ft 9in tall, with very short brown hair and some facial hair.
The body has not been formally identified but police said they believed it was Prout, and have informed his family.The body has not been formally identified but police said they believed it was Prout, and have informed his family.