A MAN has been found dead lying face down in a stream at a Scarborough beauty spot.

The grim discovery was made by a woman walking a dog in Peasholm Glen and inquiries were continuing today.

She called police, who cordoned off the entire glen from the bridge down to Peasholm Lake and called in forensic officers to comb the scene.

Firefighters in waterproof gear then went into the stream to remove the body from the water at

3.25pm yesterday so it could be taken for a postmortem examination.

Detectives investigating the case said they have not yet identified the man and do not know what caused his death. It is believed he was between 20 and 40 years old.

Speaking at the scene Det Insp Tony Quinn, of Scarborough Police, said: “We had a call from a person out walking to say she saw what she believed to be a body.

“It is the body of a man which has been found in the stream. We do not know his exact age at this stage and inquiries are continuing.”

Det Supt Andy McMillan said police would continue to cordon off the area. He said: “Specialists, including crime scene investigators, will be assisting us.”

A North Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokesman said both a paramedic and an ambulance were sent to Peasholm Park. He said the body was confirmed dead at the scene.

Walkers and dog owners were prevented from using the area during the day. One witness, Guy Smith, said: “I was just coming out of my mum’s house and saw two police officers putting tape across around the Glen area.

“One was just standing there stopping people going through.”

Christine Broxholme, from Dean Road Stores, said: “People have kept us in the dark. We don’t know what’s going on, but we do know a body has been found.

“Police have been patrolling the streets, so we know it must be serious. This is not something that happens a lot in Scarborough.”

From the Scarborough Evening News on Friday, December 15, 2006.

Who did it?

A MOTHER broke down in tears as she made a fresh appeal for information about the death of her son.

He was found face down in a stream at a Scarborough beauty spot.

Janette Craig, 67 – supported by 65-year-old husband Ron – made her emotional plea at Scarborough Police Station in connection with the discovery of 44- year-old Darryl Craig’s body at Peasholm Glen last December.

Mr Craig, of Endcliff Crescent, was also known as Paul Darryl Duffy.Mrs Craig, who lives in Whitby, told reporters: “He had a lot of friends inWhitby. He came to Scarborough and kept himself to himself. He just lived on his own and drank.

“When they took Darryl away from me they killed me as well. I don’t cope and I don’t get up in the morning. I don’t have anything to get up for.”

Her husband said: “For any person to lose a son or daughter is an absolute tragedy. Losing our son and not knowing how he drowned in Peasholm Park, where he died, is unbearable.”

The fresh appeal was organised by detectives at Scarborough CID who have been leading the murder-style investigation since Mr Craig’s body was discovered by a woman walking her dog at 8.30am on Thursday, December 14, 2006.

Det Supt Andy McMillan said: “Mr Craig was wearing blue tracksuit bottoms and dark coloured trainers but was unclothed from the waist up.”

He added that a post-mortem examination by a Home Office pathologist had established the cause of death as drowning and the body also showed signs of an earlier assault.

“We believe that Darryl’s flat had been burgled the day prior to him being found in Peasholm Glen,” he said.

Det Supt McMillan appealed for information relating to Mr Craig’s movements from 5pm on the day before his body was found, the whereabouts of his mobile phone – a ZTE F866 – and how he came to end up in the glen.

He said: “I am confident that the people of Scarborough can help us find the answers to these questions and I appeal for their help in doing so.”

When questioned about an earlier suspect, Det Supt McMillan said: “A man was charged with GBH some time ago but this was discontinued by the CPS because the evidence was found to be unreliable. We are keeping an open mind and we need to try and get more information to take the investigation forward.”

So far the inquiry has generated more than 1,900 leads and more than 500 witness statements have been taken. It is believed the assault took place in Mr Craig’s home and his injuries included severe bruising to his face and arms.

Det Insp Tony Quinn said: “We believe he was assaulted on the previous day. Maybe there was a later assault.”

From the Scarborough Evening News on Wednesday, November 14, 2007.