The Tragic Life of Rikki Neave

Rikki Neave’s tragic story abruptly ended when she was just six years old. By the time he was 3, he had been left crying outside in the dark by his mother on numerous occasions, prompting concerned neighbours to call child welfare. Ruth Neave was seen by citizens of Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, hanging her kid over a bridge and writing “idiot” in felt-tip pen on his forehead. She burned him with matches, then rubbed his mouth out with dish soap. Ruth would frequently send Rikki out at night to bring narcotics and would slap and punch him.

On November 28th, 1994, Rikki went to class and was never seen again. The following day, his naked body was found in the woods near his house. Someone had strangled him.

Two years after her son’s death, Ruth Neave was put on trial for the murder and found not guilty by a jury. However, she received a seven-year prison term for gross child neglect.

On the 20th anniversary of his death, a Crimewatch appeal asked viewers to help authorities locate two teenage lads they wanted to interview about the murder.

On the morning of November 29th, the couple was spotted emerging from the same woods where Rikki’s body had been found.

“The cold case enquiry into Rikki’s killing was handled by the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit in 2014,” Assistant Chief Constable Paul Fullwood said in February.

Following a thorough investigation that began in 2015, the Crown Prosecution Service has given us permission to arrest James Watson in connection with his death.