Body on moors could be missing Grantham dad

Aug 28 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Body find at Scammonden

MURDER squad detectives were today continuing to investigate the discovery of a body on moorland above Huddersfield.

Officers from West Yorkshire Police's Homicide and Major Enquiry Team (HMET) led by Det Insp Mark Ridley, were called in after the man's body was found by a member of the public on a desolate stretch near the A640 New Hey Road at Scammonden.

It is believed the body may have been there for several days.

The discovery, at about 7pm on Wednesday, came two days after a man was arrested in Dewsbury over the disappearance of a man from Grantham in Lincolnshire.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “We are aware of the possible link but at this stage we cannot confirm there is any connection between the two incidents.”

They said the dead man would not be identified until today. The cause of his death was still to be established.

Forensics officers remained at the scene into the night and New Hey Road was still closed from the Nont Sarah's Hotel to the junction with Saddleworth Road yesterday evening.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “Officers have secured the scene and are working to establish the identity of the man and the circumstances of his death.”

Meanwhile, a 38-year-old man from Dewsbury was still in police custody today, three days after his arrest following the disappearance of 51-year-old Christopher Pratt, of Grantham.

Mr Pratt last spoke to his partner and daughter on August 15.