Lincolnshire parents raise concerns about the police’s handling of the search for their son, whose remains were found six months after a long chase ended off the A1 near Newark

The grieving Lincolnshire parents of a 20-year-old man whose remains were found in a quarry six months after a late-night police chase feel that the force just ‘left him to die’.

Charlie Nicholas Smith had been the subject of a 52-mile pursuit amid concerns that he had stolen a van but, after evading officers on a cold and wet night on November 4, 2023, he was never seen alive again.

Police officers found the vehicle abandoned at Cromwell Quarry, off the A1 north of Newark near the OK Diner, its engine still running but no driver inside. With weather conditions poor, they abandoned the search and Charlie’s remains were only discovered six months later by two men who were out fishing.

Charlie’s father, Nicholas Smith, who lives in Lincoln and mother Catherine Malloy, of North Hykeham, have now spoken of the frustration at the way their son’s search was handled on that fateful night.

Nicholas said: “They'd left him like that, that is disgusting. All because somebody didn't do their job, it’s just laziness.

“In my opinion, as a parent, whether what he did was right or wrong, it was my kid, and they just left him to die.”

Assistant coroner Nathaneal Hartley, concluded that it would never be truly known how Charlie died — after an inquest held on September 16.

For his parents, that conclusion brought little comfort. “We’ll never have closure,” said Catherine, “Not knowing what really happened will always haunt us.”

The couple said the months between Charlie’s disappearance and the discovery of his body were filled with confusion and distress as different police forces were supposed to be responsible for working together on his case.

The family questioned why the police chase went on for more than 45 minutes through different counties and why none of the police forces involved — Merseyside Police, West Yorkshire Police and Nottinghamshire Police — didn’t find a safe way to stop the vehicle.

Catherine recalled repeatedly phoning officers to report her son missing on November 8.

She says she was told he was recorded as a wanted man because he had breached an electronic-tag curfew, as he had moved to Lincolnshire to live with Catherine and hadn’t mentioned it to the police.

For a few weeks, the family say they were supported by a liaison officer, but once they mentioned going to the media with their story, all contact stopped.

Nicholas added: “There was never any niceness out of these people; they were just cold.

“They never put us in counselling, or gave us telephone numbers or asked if we wanted to talk to someone.”

One of the hardest parts for the family was caring for Ace, Charlie’s beloved dog, who is a daily reminder of the son they lost. Charlie also left behind three brothers, aged 14, 19 and 24.

“Charlie adored that dog,” said Catherine, “He would never have left him. That’s all we’ve got left of him.”

The family also questioned the fact that the stolen van didn’t go through a forensic investigation, which could have linked Charlie to the vehicle.

While this may not have prevented his death, it may have given the family chance to solve the mystery of his disappearance sooner.

They also questioned why the police did not return to the quarry quicker, when the weather conditions got better, to investigate the incident.

Both parents remember Charlie as cheeky, funny and full of life, a ‘wildcard’ who sometimes got into trouble but was loved by everyone around him, and he cared a lot about his girlfriend Brooke.

The bereaved mother added: “He was a great son and brother.

“He got in with the wrong crowd towards the end, but he was still our Charlie.”

They say the long delays, waiting months for Charlie’s body to be released and for a death certificate, made their grief even harder to bear.

The family hope that, by speaking out, police forces will reflect on how bereaved families are treated.

Nicholas added: “It just felt like nobody cared. All we ever wanted was respect.

“Maybe if they learn from this, no one else will go through what we have.”

During the inquest, it was mentioned that Nottinghamshire officers did not conduct any forensic investigation on the stolen van or question if any of the other forces involved had done so.

The lack of communication between police forces regarding forensics was considered by Detective Constable Kate Waters to be unacceptable when she investigated complaints submitted by Catherine Malloy.

A spokesperson from Lincolnshire Police said that the force’s involvement was limited as Charlie was a Leicestershire resident and was found deceased in Nottinghamshire.

They said that, when Catherine reported him missing, he had already been circulated as wanted by Leicestershire Police, so there was “nothing to be gained in recording him as missing in Lincolnshire”.

“The complaint was investigated by Lincolnshire Police, and was reviewed by our Professional Standards Department, and it was determined that the decision was appropriate and therefore the service acceptable. The inquest also deemed that this was in line with the College of Policing APP.

“Nottinghamshire Police have very much taken the lead on the matter and produced a detailed report into the events on the night that the stolen vehicle was followed into the quarry.

“It would be inappropriate to make any further comment regarding the searching or recovery of the vehicle as this is a matter for Nottinghamshire Police and their report into the matter.”

The spokesman also said that the couple’s comments about the lack of empathy were “unfounded”, and that all of those present at the inquest were respectful to both parents, who offer their condolences and shook their hands.

A spokesperson from Leicestershire Police said: “Following a report made to Leicestershire Police on 8 November 2023, Mr Smith was identified as being a wanted person and active enquiries were made by officers to locate him.

“This was outlined to HM Coroner during the coronial proceedings.

“A public complaint was received in relation to this matter and following an investigation by our Professional Standards Department, the force’s service was found to be acceptable.

“Our condolences remain with Mr Smith’s family.”

Assistant Chief Constable Suk Verma of Nottinghamshire Police said: “First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family and friends of Charlie Smith. This was a tragic incident.

“Our officers searched for an extensive period of time in challenging weather conditions when we were made aware of a vehicle being pursued by another force that had been located in the quarry without a driver behind the wheel.

“While Charlie was not located, this was certainly not down to a lack of effort by attending officers. This was recognised by the coroner as part of the inquest.

“However, I do not want this to detract from what is a tragic situation and we recognise the impact Charlie’s death has had on his family.

“This incident was referred to the IOPC and following a full assessment they requested that Nottinghamshire Police’s Professional Standards Directorate conduct an investigation into the matter. This investigation was overseen by a senior investigating officer.

“The investigation found that the service we delivered was acceptable in terms of the thoroughness of the search that was conducted at the quarry.”

West Yorkshire Police and Merseyside Police were approached for comments.