'Sufficient evidence' to charge man with Catherine Gowing murder

on 20/10/2012 09:06:55

A man will appear in court today charged with the murder of Irish vet Catherine Gowing.

Ms Gowing, 37, has been missing since she failed to arrive at work at the Evans Veterinary Practice in Mold, North Wales, on Monday.

Clive Sharpe, 46, from Bethesda, Gwynedd, will appear at Mold Magistrates' Court today.

Police said they found Ms Gowing's burned-out car in woodland close to a disused quarry and quarry pool, in Pinfold Lane, Alltami, about two miles from her home in New Brighton, Flintshire.

Speaking at North Wales Police HQ in Colwyn Bay, Karen Dixon, district Crown Prosecutor, said: "The CPS has been in close contact with North Wales Police as their investigation into Catherine Gowing's disappearance has developed.

"We can now confirm that, having carefully carried out a detailed review of the evidence gathered so far, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence to charge Clive Sharpe with the murder of Catherine Gowing and it is in the public interest to do so."

Detective Superintendent John Hanson, who is leading the investigation for North Wales Police, renewed his appeal for witnesses.

He said anyone who was in and around the area of the disused quarry at any time last weekend should come forward with any information they may have.

He added: "We will do all that is conceivably possible to find Catherine and return her to her family. That remains our priority. Catherine's family are still in North Wales and are being supported by family liaison officers."

Earlier Mr Hanson said there were "extensive" police resources dedicated to the search for Ms Gowing and forensic examination of her car.

Police dog teams and underwater search officers were involved, he said.

He also said specialist search teams were examining two other locations in North Wales which have not been identified.

The last confirmed sighting of Ms Gowing was at an Asda supermarket in Queensferry last Friday evening and officers have been scouring CCTV as they establish her movements.

Police said she missed a weekend appointment but the alarm was not raised until Monday morning when she failed to arrive at work.

Appearing at a press conference on Thursday, Ms Gowing's sister Emma broke down in tears as she asked the public for help.

She said: "We are desperate to hear any news of Catherine's whereabouts. Please look, please search, please help us find our beautiful sister."

Ms Gowing, who is originally from Clonlee, Co Offaly had worked at Evans Veterinary Practice in Mold for the last 18 months.

Practice owner David Evans described her as a "very caring, dear person".