A police chief who led the re-opened inquiry into the murder of Rikki Neave told his mother Ruth today that “I wanted to see you in person and look you in the eye to tell you we have done everything possible to find justice and truth”.

Cambs Times: Ruth Neave (pictured left) seen leaving Cambridgeshire Constabulary HQ in Huntingdon this morning (June 21) as she found out that no charge would be made against the suspected murderer of her son. Picture(s): ARCHANTRuth Neave (pictured left) seen leaving Cambridgeshire Constabulary HQ in Huntingdon this morning (June 21) as she found out that no charge would be made against the suspected murderer of her son. Picture(s): ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Assistant chief constable Paul Fullwood called a special meeting at police headquarter in Huntingdon to explain to Mrs Neave and her husband Gary that the three year re-investigation had failed to find sufficient new evidence to bring charges against anyone.

Accompanied by some of the 30 strong team he assembled three years ago to conduct the re-investigation he hinted how near he had come to bringing charges but ultimately the Crown Prosecution Service felt the evidence simply wasn’t strong enough.

He described it as one of the most “thorough and complex investigations” of his career.

Cambs Times: Ruth Neave (pictured left) seen leaving Cambridgeshire Constabulary HQ in Huntingdon this morning (June 21) as she found out that no charge would be made against the suspected murderer of her son. Picture(s): ARCHANTRuth Neave (pictured left) seen leaving Cambridgeshire Constabulary HQ in Huntingdon this morning (June 21) as she found out that no charge would be made against the suspected murderer of her son. Picture(s): ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

“And as we embarked on this journey no stone was left unturned,” Mr Fullwood told her.

He said at one stage following an arrest police felt they had a prima facie case to bring against a suspect but following conservations with Crown prosecutors and lawyers – and often “quite heated meetings” – the decision had been made to bring the current inquiry to an end with no identifiable suspect in the frame.

“This is one we wanted to solve,” Mr Fullwood said. “So that’s why we have called you in –I always agreed you would be first to know, you are first to know, we felt we owed that to you.”

Cambs Times: Rikki NeaveRikki Neave (Image: Archant)

He promised however that “the investigation will always remain open, fresh information or intelligence sought and by default we have to review it every two years”. Under current Home Office guidelines all cold cases are reviewed bi-annually.

However Mr Fullwood said he would encourage Mrs Neave to meet with the CPS – which has now been arranged – and to consider the law that allows a victim to appeal a decision not to prosecute.

Police handed Mrs Neave a detailed explanatory letter from the CPS outlining their reasoning and this will now be evaluated and further discussions held to decide if an appeal goes ahead.

Cambs Times: Ruth Neave talking exclusively to the Cambs Times after the 30th birthday of her murdered son, Rikki Neave. Photo: Harry RutterRuth Neave talking exclusively to the Cambs Times after the 30th birthday of her murdered son, Rikki Neave. Photo: Harry Rutter (Image: Photo: Harry Rutter)

“We’ve dealt with 80 to 100 odd murders in recent years and this has been one of the most complex and difficult,” said Mr Fullwood.

And he told her that throughout the investigation he and his team had always treated Mrs Neave as a parent.

“If we thought differently we would have treated you as a suspect,” he said, a recall of the fact that Mrs Neave had originally been charged with Rikki’s murder before being found not guilty by a jury at Northampton Crown Court. She was later jailed for seven years after admitting neglect.

Cambs Times: Ruth Neave (pictured left) seen leaving Cambridgeshire Constabulary HQ in Huntingdon this morning (June 21) as she found out that no charge would be made against the suspected murderer of her son. Picture(s): ARCHANTRuth Neave (pictured left) seen leaving Cambridgeshire Constabulary HQ in Huntingdon this morning (June 21) as she found out that no charge would be made against the suspected murderer of her son. Picture(s): ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Police today revealed that during the past three years they have taken more than 1,200 statements and that they had covered every line of inquiry and the investigation would always remain open in the hope that fresh evidence or intelligence will come forward.

Mr Fullwood, who leads the three force Joint Protective Services, said: “It is disappointing that following our three year investigation we have not been able to identify the person or persons responsible for Rikki’s murder.

“However, although at this stage we have no further active lines of inquiry we remain committed to finding his killer.

Cambs Times: Gary and Ruth Neave being interviewed outside the Cambs Times newspaper officeGary and Ruth Neave being interviewed outside the Cambs Times newspaper office (Image: Archant)

“It is frustrating that despite three years of detailed investigations we are not able to tell Rikki’s family what happened on the day of his murder but we will not give up hope to do so one day.

“Whether it be new evidence or advances in forensic science, we will utilise every opportunity to investigate this murder and bring an offender to justice.

“We strongly believe someone out there knows the truth and remain hopeful that one day will come to light.”

Cambs Times: Rikki Neave, Crime Watch,Rikki Neave, Crime Watch, (Image: Archant)

Rikki Neave’s naked body was found in woodland near his home in Peterborough in November 1994.

Post-mortem tests showed he had been strangled.

Cambs Times: Ruth Neave (pictured) being interviewed by John Elworthy after she found out that no charge would be made against the suspected murderer of her son. Picture(s): HARRY RUTTER / ARCHANTRuth Neave (pictured) being interviewed by John Elworthy after she found out that no charge would be made against the suspected murderer of her son. Picture(s): HARRY RUTTER / ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Cambs Times: Rikki Neave, Crime Watch,Rikki Neave, Crime Watch, (Image: Archant)

Cambs Times: Rikki Neave.Rikki Neave. (Image: Archant)

Cambs Times: Neave family photosNeave family photos (Image: Archant)

Cambs Times: Rikki Neave.Rikki Neave. (Image: Archant)