Police name girl found in field

Tue Oct 27 2009 23:24:22

A 17-year-old girl whose body was found in a farmer's field has been named by police as Ashleigh Michelle Hall from Darlington.

A man was arrested earlier after the girl's body was discovered on Monday evening in the field, near Sedgefield in County Durham.

The 32-year-old alerted detectives to the location near a Little Chef restaurant. He had been arrested earlier by Cleveland Police for motoring offences.

Durham Police said the teenage girl left her home in Darlington on Sunday night, telling her mother she was staying overnight with a friend.

Forensic experts and a Home Office pathologist are carrying out detailed examinations at the scene.

Detective Superintendent Andy Reddick said: "The man was driving a dark blue Ford Mondeo, registration number S148 JNK, and we are anxious to trace its movements from 7pm on Sunday evening until 5.40pm on Monday when he was arrested. That car is currently in a secure location and is due to undergo forensic examination today."

© Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.