Mother’s plea to catch Charlene’s killers

A mother who believes her daughter was murdered by paedophiles hopes a new television appeal will help snare her killers.

Karen Downes is calling for justice for 14-year-old Charlene, who vanished more than 10 years ago after being groomed by a child sex gang.

Karen, 49, has revealed she will take part in a BBC Crimewatch programme.

She said: “I’m hoping that a lot of people too scared to come forward at the time will do so now, so we can finally find out what happened to my daughter.

“This is not before time. I’ve had more than 10 years of meetings with the police and still they are no closer to capturing the sick people who killed Charlene. It is a constant heartache for my family, not knowing.”

The programme is expected to include a reconstruction of the tragic teenager’s final hours.

Up to 100 men may have been involved in the grooming of Charlene, police have said.

Karen, of Blackpool, added: “Deep down in my heart, I would like to think Charlene is still alive but I don’t think she is.”

In 2007, two takeaway shop owners were charged with Charlene’s murder. Prosecutors claimed, based on secret recordings, that her body was chopped up and put into kebabs but the jury failed to reach a verdict.

A retrial was scrapped and the men cleared after massive police failings were uncovered. A new team of cold case detectives re-opened the investigation last November giving Karen fresh hopes she can finally discover what happened.

Karen, who is married to Robert, 52, and has five grandchildren, said: “I’m hoping someone comes forward and gives us the information we so badly need. We n eed closure and want justice more than anything.”