Damien Nettles' disappearance: Search called off

Police spent two days searching an address in Marsh Road, Gurnard

A two-day police search of a property on the Isle of Wight, in connection with the disappearance of Damien Nettles, has been called off.

The teenager was last seen after a night out in West Cowes 15 years ago on 2 November 1996, when he was aged 16.

Police said no evidence or human remains were found at the property at Marsh Road in Gurnard.

A 35-year-old woman and 44-year-old man, both from Cowes, were arrested and then bailed on Wednesdsay.

Forensic officers carried out a fingertip search of the property, surveyed the ground inside and outside the address, excavated the back garden, and deployed victim recovery dogs.

Damien's mother Valerie Nettles had been informed of the outcome of the search.

Marshland searched

Supt David Powell, said: "We are disappointed that Damien has not been found yet, but this search was necessary to allow a thorough assessment of information about the Marsh Road property to be completed.

"As a result, police are confident that Damien's body is not at the address."

In May, police arrested and bailed five men on suspicion of murder following new information and then began searching marshland near Newport.

The five suspects were bailed until 1 February.

The last confirmed sighting of Damien was on CCTV at Yorkie's fish and chip shop in Cowes High Street at about 23:45 GMT.

Officers urged anyone with information to contact them.

Damien had lived with his family in Woodvale Road, Gurnard, but they have since moved to Texas in the US.