North Yorkshire Police says a member of the public reported seeing missing Harrogate woman Judith Holliday in Wetherby yesterday, as officers continue to search for the missing 73-year-old.
Judith was last seen on Saturday at 10.43am at Library Gardens in Harrogate after she left her care home.
Police believe she may have walked from here to use public transport.
She is described as white, thin build, approximately 5ft in height, with medium-length grey bobbed hair. She was last seen wearing dark-coloured trousers and a coat.
The police have deployed their operational support unit as well as a drone to search for her in rural areas around Harrogate.
Extensive CCTV enquires are also taking place to try and establish any further positive sightings.
North Yorkshire Police critical incident inspector, Martin Smith said:
Officer who downloaded indecent images ‘betrayed the trust of North Yorkshire Police’“We’re currently extremely concerned for the welfare of Judith. I believe that Judith has either walked from this location on foot or has used public transport.
“I would urge members of the public, in particular people in the Harrogate and Wetherby areas to remain vigilant, and report any sightings to police immediately.”
A senior North Yorkshire Police officer has said former officer Christopher Groom ‘betrayed public trust and betrayed North Yorkshire Police’ after he was given a community order for downloading indecent images of children.
Leeds Magistrates Court heard yesterday how Groom, 41, searched the internet for images of youngsters using search terms such as ‘naked young teens’ and ‘youngest naked models’.
Analysis of Groom’s computer tower revealed that he had downloaded 8,707 Category C images of children over what is thought to be a seven-year period.
District Judge Richard Kitson told Groom, of Main Street, Claxton, he would not be sending him to jail because the probation service said he was at low risk of reoffending and could be rehabilitated in the community.
Mabs Hussain
Following the end of the court case, North Yorkshire Police deputy chief constable Mabs Hussain said the force “demands the highest level of integrity from our officers and staff.”
He added:
“This is essential to ensure the communities we are proud to serve have complete trust in their police service.
“The abhorrent and criminal actions of Groom have betrayed that public trust and he has betrayed North Yorkshire Police.”
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Groom resigned from North Yorkshire Police ahead of his first court appearance on May 18.
An accelerated misconduct hearing will now be considered by the Chief Constable and the professional standards department.
Groom was investigated by NYP’s online abuse and exploitation team.
Detective Sergeant Steve Alderson said:
“The fact that Groom was a serving North Yorkshire Police officer made no difference to how we conducted the investigation.
“He was treated the same as any other member of the public who become subject to a criminal inquiry and court proceedings.
“This case shows the determination of North Yorkshire Police to secure justice against those involved in indecent images of children offences, no matter who they are.”