A MAN was expected in court today in connection with the bizarre disappearance of a Huddersfield builder.
And despite police finding no trace of 61-year-old John Hay, they are treating his death as suspicious.
The man, expected to appear before magistrates, was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of murder.
He has been in police custody since then but the time limit for him to be detained expired last night.
Police have not named the man but confirmed he is 63 and from Netherthong, Holmfirth.
The huge hunt for Mr Hay began on March 15 when he failed to return to his home in Fenay Bridge.
Mr Hay, who served as a police officer in Huddersfield for many years before entering the building trade, failed to return home.
Police were alerted and his white van was found abandoned later that day in Humberside.
It was found close to the landmark Humber Bridge in Hessle and police have carried out extensive inquiries in that area without finding any trace of Mr Hay.
The police investigation dramatically intensified on Tuesday of this week.
Large teams of police arrived at several sites in Huddersfield.
The main emphasis of their inquiry was on a house and smallholding called Merle Meade off Upper Hagg Road, between Thongsbridge and Netherthong.
A number of police teams descended on the premises and were seen searching buildings and fields around the house.
At the same time, more police officers searched land and buildings at a livery stables between Honley and Meltham. Their search at Honley Livery Stables off Meltham Road lasted for hours.
And there was further police activity on Wednesday morning at a stone sales yard off Huddersfield Road, Thongsbridge.
Police sealed off the site and turned away workers arriving for their shift.
Police confirmed that they have not found Mr Hay and they have repeated an appeal for anyone with information to come forward.
Mr Hay is 6ft 4in tall and has thick white hair.
His white panel van had the registration number A12 HAY.
