Ben Needham mystery: Police probe new leads
Ben Needham's family have been given fresh hope with multiple new leads in the case 24 years after the toddler went missing.
Ben, from Sheffield, England, was just 21-months-old when he disappeared from the island of Kos in Greece, while holidaying his mum, Kerry, and his grandparents.
Police have investigated numerous lines of inquiry and possible sightings over the past two decades, but Ben has never been found.
Appearing on Greek TV on Friday night, Ben's family made a fresh appeal for help, prompting dozens of calls and emails from members of the public - including a man who claimed he could be the long-lost child.
The unnamed man contacted officials claiming to look like a computer-generated image of missing Ben as he may look like 24 years on.
Kerry Needham thanks those who are calling in with potential information about #BenNeedham disappearance pic.twitter.com/PtIM8UZ8xM
— Josh Stead (@JoshSteadITV) May 15, 2015
A tearful Kerry Needham talks about her heartbreak that every inconclusive lead in the investigation brings pic.twitter.com/Lq6hLcoaL1
— Josh Stead (@JoshSteadITV) May 15, 2015
#BenNeedham @findbengreek @FindBenNeedham please call the show if you can help Kerry and her family find Ben pic.twitter.com/McgmoZuQYx
— Primetime Media (@primetime_media) May 15, 2015
Police in Greece reportedly called for DNA tests on the caller, but Ben's mother, Kerry, later confirmed the matter had been dealt with.
However, authorities are now investigating several new leads received during the TV appeal.
A statement from South Yorkshire Police said: "Police believe there are around seven potentially interesting lines of inquiry, which will now be explored further, in partnership with the Greek authorities."
Detective Superintendent Matt Fenwick added: “We have received lots of information over the last 24 hours – some new information and some which correlates to information we already have in our possession. We will now work with the Greek police to review that information to move the inquiry forward.”
Several callers are said to have mentioned the name of a family believed by the Needhams to be connected with Ben's disappearance, the Mirror reports.
A photo was also emailed in during the show, and will be examined by police.
Kerry, Ben's grandmother Christine and his younger sister, Leighanna, took part in the three-hour programme on Friday night.
An emotional Kerry pleaded with anyone who had information as to Ben's whereabouts to come forward and put an end to years of torment.
"Please end the pain that my family is suffering. I know he’s out there somewhere," she urged.
"Please call the police and please put an end to this."
Kerry has always maintained that Ben was abducted, describing the search as a tumultuous battle of hope and despair.
She talked about the unsuccessful DNA tests on men who had come forward believing they could be the missing child and the subsequent disappointment of learning her son was still out there.
"It is shocking - and every time I meet someone that we think is Ben, and we've had a DNA test and it's not Ben, it's heart-breaking.
"And sometimes, it's very difficult to recover from that."
The show, which translates into English as Light at the End of the Tunnel, broadcasts to around 50 per cent of the Greek TV audience and focuses on missing person cases.
Kerry posted the following statement to Facebook after the show: "The Greek TV show last night had a massive impact on Ben's investigation and new information was given to S Y Police on the show and also to operation Ben headquarters in the UK.
"This information will now be investigated by British detectives.
"I want to make it clear that the information about someone who called the show claiming to be Ben is OLD information and has already dealt with.
"However a photograph was sent to the show which I have seen but I believe stronger information should take priority. I will update as often as I can."
In January this year, the UK Home Office granted £700,000 in funding for South Yorkshire Police to assist the Greek authorities in continuing the search to find Ben.
A dedicated team of nine officers, including two Greek-speaking officers, was established to explore existing lines of inquiry.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Ben Needham can email the Operation Ben team at opben.needham@southyorks.pnn.police.uk.
