A MAN has been charged with murder following a massive police investigation.

James Sutcliffe, 28, of Hillcrest Road in Denholme, who was arrested on Saturday, appeared at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court today to face the allegation.

Murder squad detectives probing the disappearance of fellow village resident Tyron Charles, 29, have been combing areas around Doe Park Water Activities Centre in Denholme, and police divers have been searching the large boating lake for the past four days.

Sutcliffe, who stood in the dock wearing a grey jumper and tracksuit top, was remanded in custody until his appearance at Bradford Crown Court tomorrow.

Members of Mr Charles’s family were in court, some of them in tears.

Detectives extended their enquiries to Bingley on Tuesday as forensics officers were seen coming out of a property in Unity Street South. A police spokesman confirmed the presence of the officers was related to the ongoing investigation.

A 60-year-old man arrested on Monday on suspicion of murder has been released from custody without charge.

Specialist teams, including the Police Underwater Search and Marine Unit, began scouring a number of locations in the Denholme area, including the water activities park, on Saturday.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Jim Griffiths, of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “We have not discovered a body, however evidence recovered from the scenes suggest Mr Charles has come to serious harm. A number of scenes remain in place as our specialist teams are continuing their enquiries to determine what has happened to Tyron.

I would appeal to anyone who may have seen or heard from him on or after September 6, or who has any information, however small it may seem, to come forward.

“Officers are in regular contact with Mr Charles’s family and supporting them at this time.”

A heavy police presence has been in place at Denholme since Saturday.

The road leading to Doe Park water activities centre was condoned off the following day.

And a number of locations in Foster Park View were searched.

CID officers attended what appeared to be a crime scene outside the activity centre’s boundary, near a green shipping container where Foster Park View meets a public footpath, while police vehicles could also be seen close to the centre itself.

Police then widened the cordon to include the entrance to a yard off Foster Park View, while the force helicopter circled overhead. Spotlights were used to allow the search to continue into the evening.

Members of the public reported seeing police scouring an allotment site outside the cordon area, further up Foster Park View, on Saturday evening. A number of police vans, cars and unmarked vehicles were at the scene the following day.

Two forensic investigators in white suits were seen on the footpath.

A PCSO was guarding the scene at the top of the lane leading to the centre, as dog walkers and other residents were told the area was not accessible as investigations continued.

Locals have also reported a large amount of police activity on the village’s Hillcrest estate.

A large police presence is still guarding a cordon leading down to the boating lake.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact police via 101, quoting 13170414379.

Information can also be passed anonymously and in confidence to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.