Man, 30, is charged with murdering former Butlin’s worker, 21, after her body was found in tent as seaside holiday resort two years ago
- Christopher Cole from Clun Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex, was arrested
- Cole was charged with murdering Sarah Clayton in Seaford on May 13, 2018
- He appeared before court today and was ordered to be remanded in custody
A man was charged with murdering his fianceé whose body was found in a tent on a campsite more than two years ago.
Christopher Cole, 30, from Clun Road, Wick, Littlehampton, West Sussex, was arrested yesterday and charged within 12 hours.
He appeared before Crawley Magistrates’ Court yesterday and was ordered to be remanded in custody.
The charge follows an investigation after the body of Butlin’s worker Sarah Clayton, 21, was found at the Buckle caravan and camping site in Marine Parade, Seaford, East Sussex, on May 13, 2018.
Christopher Cole (right), 30, from Clun Road, Wick, Littlehampton, West Sussex, was charged yesterday with murdering his fiancée Sarah Clayton (left), 21, whose body was found in a tent on a campsite more than two years ago
Sarah’s body was found was found at the Buckle caravan and camping site in Marine Parade, Seaford, East Sussex, on May 13, 2018
A spokesman for Sussex Police said: ‘Officers have arrested and charged a man with the murder of a woman in Seaford in 2018.
‘Cole has been charged with murdering Sarah Clayton at the Buckle caravan and camping site in Marine Parade, Seaford, on May 13 2018.
‘Detectives from the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team launched a murder investigation after Sarah was sadly found dead in a tent at the site.
‘Cole and the victim were known to each other.’
Forensic teams were seen putting up a tent around the scene as their they investigated the alleged murder at the time
Sarah, from Yapton, West Sussex, had been engaged for three weeks to Chris Cole, who she started dating in February 2018 according to social media accounts.
Mr Cole was at the scene when emergency services arrived at campsite at around 6.35am on the day her body was found.
Her friend, Becky Sheppard, paid tribute to her at the time, telling the BBC: ‘She was the best mum, a wonderful mum, to her little girl.
‘When I saw the news that the body of a 21-year-old woman had been found I had this instinct. I just knew it was her.’
The camping site provides caravans with electric hook-ups and showers, plus direct access to the beach
Forensic teams were seen putting up a tent around the scene as they investigated the alleged murder at the time.
The camping site provides caravans with electric hook-ups and showers, plus direct access to the beach.
Cole appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court and was remanded in custody to appear at Lewes Crown Court on November 9.
If anyone has any information relevant to this investigation please report online or ring 101 quoting Operation Cobblestone.’