Rape link to suspect Robert Andrew Williams of missing girl Laura Stainforth

A man who detectives believe may have travelled abroad with a missing 15-year-old girl is on bail after he was questioned about a rape, police said.

Laura Stainforth was last seen by her parents on Wednesday when she left home in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire.

Humberside Police believe she is with 49-year-old Robert Andrew Williams who is also known as Dave Ingram.

Durham Police said he was arrested in Darlington in December over the alleged rape of a 16-year-old from West Sussex.

Detectives believe Laura met Mr Williams through an internet chat room.

Her parents Debra and Robert have appealed for their daughter to get in touch.

They said: "Please contact us as we miss you. You are not in trouble.

"We just want to be able to see you and hug you and try and help you. And your brother misses you too.

"Please contact us or the police, or please let us know you are well and safe."

A group called Find Laura Stainforth has recruited more than 1,250 members on social networking site Facebook.

One message reads: "Laura your mum and dad must be going out of their minds with worry - if you're worried about coming home just ring and put them out of their anguish."

On Sunday, Humberside Police released CCTV footage of Laura with Mr Williams at Grimsby railway station on Wednesday.

The teenager was positively identified in Dover on Thursday and police are now checking with ferry companies.

Laura is described as white, of medium build, with dark brown, shoulder length hair which was tied in a ponytail.

She was last seen wearing a fawn and cream-coloured zip-up jacket and light blue jeans and black trainers.

Durham Police said they were working with Humberside and West Sussex forces.

BBC News