Ordeal of man arrested for 'hugging boys'

Jun 24 2009 By Russell Butt

Hythe Park in Egham

A MAN who was arrested for the attempted abduction of two boys from a park in Egham Hythe claims he was in fact hugging the youngsters after they had scored a goal.

CCTV cameras in Hythe Park were hailed a success after the alleged abduction attempt, but on Thursday a Portuguese man, who has been on police bail since the incident in April, was released without charge after convincing officers that he was innocent.

A Surrey Police spokesman said: “Background checks in the UK and with the Portuguese authorities found nothing to cast doubt on the accounts given by the man or those of independent witnesses, so no further action was taken.

“The man’s nationality had absolutely no bearing on this outcome and the reasons for the decision were fully explained to the families of both boys.”

The man, who was believed to be in the UK visiting family in Field View, was said to be bewildered and distraught at the allegations made to  police by one of the boys.

He was arrested eight days after the supposed incident after he was spotted in the park by a CCTV operative using the park’s newly installed security cameras.

He is now believed to have gone home to Portugal.

However the father of the child who made the complaint, who did not want to be named to protect his son, said he felt the action taken by Surrey Police was wrong.

He said his son had been badly affected by the incident. He said: “It’s disgraceful. I think it’s terrible. He should have been charged. I am pretty sure that if I went out and just started touching a child I would get charged.

“My son was quite shocked by it all. He still plays in the park, but always makes sure he is with lots of other children.”