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Goa police seek 'crucial' witness | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Goan police are looking for a Briton who could have crucial evidence about the death of a British teenager. | |
Scarlett Keeling, 15, was found dead on a beach in Anjuna last month. Police said Scarlett had drowned, but a man has now been charged with rape. | |
Officers want to speak to the potential witness, although it is not known whether he is still in the country. | |
Earlier it was confirmed Goan authorities would not investigate Scarlett's mother for neglect. | |
Fiona MacKeown left her daughter in Goa while she travelled to another part of India. | |
Previously the 43-year-old told BBC News a British man, who may have vital information, had left the area amid fears for his own safety. | |
"I hope he'll do the right thing and help us," she said. | |
Ms MacKeown has asked the Indian prime minister to help her find out the truth about her daughter's death. | Ms MacKeown has asked the Indian prime minister to help her find out the truth about her daughter's death. |
She was with somebody who was a very caring person who treated her like a niece Fiona MacKeown | She was with somebody who was a very caring person who treated her like a niece Fiona MacKeown |
Ms MacKeown, who lives near Bideford in Devon, has written to now Dr Manmohan Singh to ask for his help, saying she has no faith in the local police. | Ms MacKeown, who lives near Bideford in Devon, has written to now Dr Manmohan Singh to ask for his help, saying she has no faith in the local police. |
In the letter she said: "I am certain they will try their best to implicate somebody to treat this crime in isolation, while ignoring the larger and more important matter of this criminal nexus. | In the letter she said: "I am certain they will try their best to implicate somebody to treat this crime in isolation, while ignoring the larger and more important matter of this criminal nexus. |
"My daughter has been murdered and nothing will bring her back to life. | "My daughter has been murdered and nothing will bring her back to life. |
"Your timely intervention now would ensure the tourists coming here and the people of Goa retain their faith in the state and administration." | "Your timely intervention now would ensure the tourists coming here and the people of Goa retain their faith in the state and administration." |
JP Singh, chief secretary to the government of Goa, said media coverage of the case had overlooked basic facts including that the 15-year-old had been left alone and had a history of drug abuse. | JP Singh, chief secretary to the government of Goa, said media coverage of the case had overlooked basic facts including that the 15-year-old had been left alone and had a history of drug abuse. |
'Wonderful education' | 'Wonderful education' |
Ms MacKeown left her daughter in the care of a 25-year-old tour guide while she and her six other children went to the neighbouring state of Karnataka. | |
"She was with somebody who was a very caring person who treated her like a niece. | "She was with somebody who was a very caring person who treated her like a niece. |
"He made her go to bed on time and made sure she ate healthy foods and drank orange juice instead of Coca Cola. | "He made her go to bed on time and made sure she ate healthy foods and drank orange juice instead of Coca Cola. |
"She wasn't left. She regularly joined us down the coast at other beaches we were camping on." | "She wasn't left. She regularly joined us down the coast at other beaches we were camping on." |
Ms MacKeown also defended the fact Scarlett had not been in school, saying her daughter was receiving a "wonderful education" in the beautiful country of India. | Ms MacKeown also defended the fact Scarlett had not been in school, saying her daughter was receiving a "wonderful education" in the beautiful country of India. |
Samson D'Souza, a local 29-year-old man, has been charged with rape but not with Miss Keeling's killing. | Samson D'Souza, a local 29-year-old man, has been charged with rape but not with Miss Keeling's killing. |
He appeared in court on Monday and was remanded in custody for 14 days. | He appeared in court on Monday and was remanded in custody for 14 days. |