This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/may/14/houses-searched-claudia-lawrence-inquiry

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Two houses searched in Claudia Lawrence inquiry Two houses searched in Claudia Lawrence inquiry
(about 3 hours later)
Two houses 100 miles apart have been searched by police after a man was arrested on suspicion of murdering Claudia Lawrence, who went missing in York in March 2009.Two houses 100 miles apart have been searched by police after a man was arrested on suspicion of murdering Claudia Lawrence, who went missing in York in March 2009.
The 59-year-old man, named locally as Michael Snelling, was arrested on Tuesday morning at a house in North Shields, Tyneside. Neighbours said his car was seized and police officers began a search of the semi-detached property.The 59-year-old man, named locally as Michael Snelling, was arrested on Tuesday morning at a house in North Shields, Tyneside. Neighbours said his car was seized and police officers began a search of the semi-detached property.
Snelling's home in York was cordoned off, boarded up and subjected to a forensic search. It is understood that the North Shields house is his mother's home. Snelling's home in York was cordoned off, boarded up and searched. It is understood that the North Shields house is his mother's home.
Neighbours in York said he spent a lot of time at Tyneside property but would return to York during the week for work. They said he worked for some time as a lab technician at York University but recently started work for a mental health charity. Neighbours in York said Snelling spent a lot of time at Tyneside property but would return to York during the week for work. They said he worked for some time as a lab technician at York University but recently started work for a mental health charity.
Ronald Robinson, 81, a resident in North Shields, said: "I think he was arrested here because his car pulled in last night. I think it [the arrest] would have been about 8am.Ronald Robinson, 81, a resident in North Shields, said: "I think he was arrested here because his car pulled in last night. I think it [the arrest] would have been about 8am.
"His job was down there but he lives up here. He would come home every Friday for the football match. He would come back every weekend to take his mother to get the shopping in. She's in a home now for dementia but he made sure he kept her at home as long as he could. I've seen him grow up as I've lived here for 40 years.""His job was down there but he lives up here. He would come home every Friday for the football match. He would come back every weekend to take his mother to get the shopping in. She's in a home now for dementia but he made sure he kept her at home as long as he could. I've seen him grow up as I've lived here for 40 years."
A police van was parked outside the house on Tuesday night, with two police officers standing on the drive. Forensic officers were seen carrying boxes out of the property. A police van was parked outside the house on Tuesday night, with two police officers standing on the drive. Specialist officers were seen carrying boxes out of the property.
Snelling's house in York is about half a mile from the small house in the Heworth area where Lawrence lived alone.Snelling's house in York is about half a mile from the small house in the Heworth area where Lawrence lived alone.
Lawrence, who worked in a kitchen at York University, was 35 when she was reported missing by her father Peter on 20 March 2009. She was last seen at around 3.05pm on 18 March, walking back towards her home, and that night she spoke to her parents on the phone. It is thought something happened to her after she left for work early on 19 March. Lawrence, who worked in a kitchen at York University, was 35 when she was reported missing by her father, Peter, on 20 March 2009. She was last seen at around 3.05pm on 18 March, walking back towards her home, and that night she spoke to her parents on the phone. It is thought something happened to her after she left for work early on 19 March.
North Yorkshire police launched a review of the investigation last year after the force established a new major crime unit. They have always said that detectives believe the chef was murdered. North Yorkshire police launched a review of the investigation last year after the force established a new major crime unit. Police chiefs have always said detectives believe the chef was murdered.
Last year the new investigation team conducted a detailed, two-month re-examination of Lawrence's home. And in March senior officers announced a series of new lines of inquiry on the fifth anniversary of the day she failed to turn up for work. The announcement coincided with a fresh appeal on BBC's Crimewatch. Last year the new investigation team conducted a detailed, two-month re-examination of Lawrence's home. And in March senior officers announced new lines of inquiry on the fifth anniversary of the day she failed to turn up for work. The announcement coincided with a fresh appeal on BBC's Crimewatch.
They said the new forensic examination of her house uncovered the fingerprints of people who had not yet come forward. They also found the DNA profile of an unknown man on a cigarette butt in Lawrence's Vauxhall Corsa. They said the new forensic examination of her house had uncovered the fingerprints of people who had not yet come forward. They also found the DNA profile of an unknown man on a cigarette butt in Lawrence's Vauxhall Corsa.
Police have said before that Lawrence's mobile phone and rucksack have never been found.Police have said before that Lawrence's mobile phone and rucksack have never been found.
A force spokesman said: "Detectives investigating the disappearance of Claudia Lawrence have this morning arrested a 59-year-old man from York on suspicion of murder. Forensic examinations and searches are being conducted which are expected to be ongoing over a number of days. A car has also been seized as part of the inquiries." A force spokesman said earlier this week that the possibility of more arrests could not be ruled out.
He added: "Police cannot rule out the possibility of further arrests in the future as the review continues."
Lawrence's father has mounted a five-year campaign to find his daughter, and in March he spoke of the "torture" his family had suffered by not knowing what had happened to her.Lawrence's father has mounted a five-year campaign to find his daughter, and in March he spoke of the "torture" his family had suffered by not knowing what had happened to her.
On Tuesday he told the local newspaper The Press: "I'm very pleased they appear to be making progress by making this arrest."On Tuesday he told the local newspaper The Press: "I'm very pleased they appear to be making progress by making this arrest."
Lawrence's mother, Joan, told ITV News Calendar: "The police were on my doorstep not long after 8am. I was gobsmacked. I just had absolutely no idea. I had absolutely no idea about any of this but I've got to keep an open mind about it. To be quite honest, it hasn't sunk in yet."Lawrence's mother, Joan, told ITV News Calendar: "The police were on my doorstep not long after 8am. I was gobsmacked. I just had absolutely no idea. I had absolutely no idea about any of this but I've got to keep an open mind about it. To be quite honest, it hasn't sunk in yet."
Lawrence's close friend Suzy Cooper, 49, said she always believed there would be progress in the case. "I have always put my faith in the police," she said. "I never really doubted that."Lawrence's close friend Suzy Cooper, 49, said she always believed there would be progress in the case. "I have always put my faith in the police," she said. "I never really doubted that."