Grieving son of pensioner found dead in Ellesmere Port arrested for wasting police time

Nov 16 2011 by Laurie Stocks-Moore, Ellesmere Port Pioneer

Grieving son of James Woodall arrested for wasting police time

THE son of a pensioner found dead in Ellesmere Port has been arrested for wasting police time.

Robert Woodall’s father James, 83, was found dead in Jacks Woods, near Westminster Road, after a week-long police search.

But in a dramatic development this week, Robert, 53 – who moved in with his dad three years ago – was brought in for questioning after his version of events appeared to conflict with a timeline put together by police.

Last Thursday, November 11, Mr Woodall had co-operated with police to issue an emotional appeal for information on his father’s disappearance in the days after he went missing.

The body of James Woodall, from Atherton Road, was discovered by two teenagers shortly after 1.30pm on Monday, November 7.

Police believe the pensioner had been lying dead in undergrowth for at least two days, having gone missing a week before.

A Cheshire Constabulary spokeswoman said the cause of death was determined as heart problems and hypothermia and is not being treated as suspicious.

Mr Woodall, who had symptoms of early dementia and had lived in the same house for 51 years, was last seen at home at 4pm on Sunday, October 30, and went missing between then and 10am the following day.

His usual daily routine involved walking to the town centre, spending time at both Asda and the market.

In August Mr Woodall, who had been a widower for nearly 20 years, had been found walking near the M53 unaware of where he was going.

Police spokeswoman Shelley Williams said: “A 53-year-old man from Ellesmere Port was arrested for wasting police time.

“He has been granted police bail until December 7.”

Police have stressed Mr Woodall has not been arrested in connection with any offence other than that of wasting police time.