Kayleigh Haywood: 28-year-old man charged with schoolgirl's murder

A 28-year-old man has been charged with the murder and rape of 15-year-old Kayleigh Haywood, whose body was found in a field in Leicestershire. A 27-year-old man has been charged with related offences, including grooming and sexual activity with a child, say Leicestershire Police. The two men had earlier been charged with Kayleigh's kidnap, but were later re-arrested. They will each appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court tomorrow (Friday 20 November).

In a statement Leicestershire Police said: "A 28-year-old man has tonight been charged with the murder of Kayleigh Haywood. Stephen Beadman, of George Avenue, Ibstock has been charged with murder and one count of rape. Luke Harlow, 27, of George Avenue, Ibstock, has been charged with grooming and two counts of sexual activity with a child.

"Both have been remanded into custody and will appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court in the morning (Friday 20 November). Kayleigh, from Measham, was last seen by her family at about 6pm on Friday 13 November, when she was dropped off outside Ibstock Community College, in Central Avenue."

Kayleigh's father dropped her off outside the local college last Friday. She called on the phone the next day, but that was her last contact with her family. Her body was found in undergrowth near a lake in Ibstock late Wednesday (18 November). Formal identification has yet to take place. Two vigils have been held at St Laurence's Church in Measham attended by around 200 people, including Kayleigh's devastated parents.

In a statement Kayleigh's family said: "We are heartbroken, grief-stricken and as a family, utterly devastated. There are no words to express the way we are feeling. We cannot even begin to thank the local communities and wider public for their messages of support which have helped us through the last week."