Searches end at Clifton pub in connection with missing Claire Holland
A man from Patchway has been charged with Claire's murder
Last updated 9th Aug 2022
Forensic searches of a Bristol pub, in connection with a woman's disappearance 10 years ago have concluded with "nothing of significance" found, according to Avon and Somerset Police.
Officers first announced they were searching the Barrelhouse pub in Gordon Road, Clifton, last Tuesday (August 2) in connection with the disappearance of Claire Holland in 2012.
Claire, then 32, from Lawrence Weston, was last seen last seen leaving the Seamus O’Donnell’s pub in St Nicholas Street, Bristol, at around 11.15pm on Wednesday 6 June that year.
She was reported missing a few days later and has not been seen or heard from since.
Avon and Somerset Police have been keen to emphasise that the current and former tenants of the Barrelhouse are not linked to Claire's disappearance, so the exact reason why the pub was searched remains a mystery.
"We’d like to thank the present owners for their co-operation and understanding while we carried out these essential enquiries," Detective Superintendent Gary Haskins said.
"The local community have also been extremely supportive during this operational activity and we’re grateful for their patience."
Det Supt Haskins says Claire's family have been told about this latest development and continue to be supported by a specialist family liaison officer.
Two days after the pub search began, on Thursday 4 August, 40-year-old Darren Osment from Chessel Drive in Patchway, was charged with Claire's murder, having been arrested three times in connection with her disappearance to date.
At the time Ben Samples, Senior District Crown Prosecutor with the CPS South West Complex Casework Unit, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Avon and Somerset Police to charge Darren Osment, aged 40, with one count of murder.
“The authority to charge follows a complex investigation by the Major Crime Investigation Team, which was supported by the Complex Casework Unit.
"An extensive review of all the evidence gathered has led us to conclude that our legal tests to commence a prosecution have been met."
Mr Osment is due to be tried before a High Court judge beginning on March 13, 2023.
To date he has not entered a plea.