Mum of Peterborough schoolboy Rikki Neave ‘overwhelmed and numb’ after man charged with murder

The mum of murdered Peterborough schoolboy Rikki Neave has said she is ‘overwhelmed and totally numb’ after a man was charged with killing the lad.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Feb 2020, 06:09 BST
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James Watson (38) of no fixed abode will appear at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Thursday charged with murdering Rikki in November 1994.

Today Ruth Rogers has said she is ‘overwhelmed’ by the latest development in the investigation.
She said: “I am overwhelmed and in truth totally numb. This has always been about getting justice for my son Rikki.

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“I’d like to thank (Assistant Chief Constable) Paul Fullwood and his team for their work and effort in getting us to this moment.

Ruth Rogers Nee Neave reads a prepared statement after James Watson is arrested and charged for the 1994 murder of her son Rikki Neave. Pictured Ruth with husband Gary Rogers. , Huntingdon Monday 17 February 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. THARuth Rogers Nee Neave reads a prepared statement after James Watson is arrested and charged for the 1994 murder of her son Rikki Neave. Pictured Ruth with husband Gary Rogers. , Huntingdon Monday 17 February 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. THA
Ruth Rogers Nee Neave reads a prepared statement after James Watson is arrested and charged for the 1994 murder of her son Rikki Neave. Pictured Ruth with husband Gary Rogers. , Huntingdon Monday 17 February 2020. Picture by Terry Harris. THA

“The news has not yet sunk in. The courtesy and care shown to me by Paul Fullwood and his colleagues has exceeded by far the expectations that I had. Todays news is welcome but it is only part of a much longer journey that still has some way to run.

“It wouldn’t be appropriate to comment further but what I am looking forward to is a good night’s sleep that has been lacking over many, many years. I would also like to place on record the love and support of my husband Gary. I cannot express fully how much I love him, and the work he has put into this to make the events of today possible.”

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