Search continues for "vulnerable" disabled man

Apr 23 2008

THE search for an “extremely vulnerable” disabled man will continue today, following the discovery of his mother’s body, police said.

Detectives searching for James Hughes, 22, are “extremely concerned” for his well-being and continued inquiries until nightfall yesterday, a West Mercia Constabulary spokeswoman said.

James, who has the mental age of an 18-month-old child, and his mother Heather Wardle, 39, were reported missing on Saturday.

Mother-of-four Ms Wardle, from Redditch, Worcestershire, had left home on Friday evening, saying she was walking to a friend’s house nearby, but officers say it is not clear when James was last seen.

Local teenagers found Ms Wardle’s body on Monday night in an area of “dense undergrowth” off Winyates Way, just minutes from the family home in Loxley Close in the Church Hill area of Redditch.

Police are awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of Ms Wardle’s death.

The focus of the inquiry is finding Mr Hughes, who is unable to “fend for himself”, police said yesterday.

Superintendent Jane Horwood said: “James has not been found and, obviously, in the light of the discovery of what we believe to be his mother’s body, we are very concerned for his well-being.

“James has the mental age of an 18-month-old child and a number of other health problems, including epilepsy.

“He needs his most basic needs met and cannot fend for himself.

“At the moment we have no idea where he is and, while we are keeping an open mind, obviously we are very concerned.

“Furthermore, while we have been able to establish that Heather was last seen at about 6pm on Friday, it is not clear when James was last seen.”

James, who looks younger than his age, needs regular medication and “round-the-clock” care, police said.

He is capable of walking short distances but “tends to stumble” so uses a wheelchair.

There are between 40-50 officers working on the case, around 30 of which are actively searching the Church Hill area of Redditch, police said.

Police dogs and a helicopter have also been deployed.

James is described as white, 5ft 4in and of thin build, with short mousy hair.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Redditch Police on 08457 444 888.