Murder of Sarah Payne - Murder Investigation

Murder Investigation

Whiting was questioned about the disappearance of Payne, which had taken place about 8 km (5 mi) from Whiting's place of residence. Whiting was routinely questioned as he had been placed on the Sex Offenders Register. The officers left Whiting, but were suspicious of his lack of concern for Payne, something that some of the worst offenders had shown when questioned in connection with Payne's disappearance. When Whiting re-appeared soon after he attempted to drive away in his van, he was stopped by the police and arrested. Whiting spent two days in custody, but a lack of police evidence led to Whiting's release on bail. Although police had found a receipt for fuel from Buck Barn garage near Pulborough, which contradicted his alibi of being at a funfair in Hove at 5:30 pm and then returning to his flat by 9.30 pm on the night that Payne had disappeared, the police had no other evidence with which to press charges.

When Whiting was released on bail, he went to live with his father in Crawley while his flat on Saint Augustine's Road was being searched by forensic investigators. No evidence was found in Whiting's flat to suggest that Payne had been at the flat.

When Payne's body was discovered 5 km (3 mi) from the Buck Barn service station where Whiting had bought fuel on the night of Payne's disappearance, and due to Whiting's false alibi, Whiting was subsequently re-arrested on 31 July 2000. Police still had a lack of evidence to press charges and Whiting was released.

A few days after his second arrest, Whiting moved out of his father's house after a vigilante attack and went to live in a tent in woodland behind a housing estate in Crawley. Whiting's father moved out of the house afterwards, fearing for his own safety.

On 21 July 2000, Whiting stole a Vauxhall Nova and was pursued by police at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour (110 km/h) before crashing into a parked vehicle. Whiting was arrested on a charge of dangerous driving. Whiting was remanded in custody until 27 September 2000, when he admitted taking the car and driving dangerously and was jailed for 22 months.

When Whiting began his jail term for the car theft and dangerous driving, detectives carried out forensic tests on his 1988 Fiat Ducato van, which he had bought on 23 June 2000. On 6 February 2001, following a police enquiry, Whiting was charged with Payne's murder.