Mum hunted by cops on child neglect charges tracked down to Tenerife bolthole
Mum hunted by cops on child neglect charges tracked down to Tenerife bolthole
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A wanted mum being hunted by police for child neglect after she and a baby fell from a moving car has been traced to Tenerife, where she declared: "I'm staying here.". Raychel Hardingham, 29, said she had no plans to return to Norfolk as she spoke from tourist hotspot Playa de las Americas in Tenerife. Hardingham was seriously injured in the fall from a blue Volvo opposite a Shell petrol station in Taverham, Norfolk in April 2023.
The child escaped with minor injuries and Hardingham was charged with assaulting, ill-treating, neglecting, and abandoning a child to cause unnecessary suffering or injury. Police confirmed they were attempting to find Hardingham after she failed to show up at Norwich Magistrates' Court. Ms Hardingham reportedly said: "This is a very complex case and I have had to leave my home in England. I have had to come to Spain because I fear for my safety back home. I have had threats. My mental health is bad and my address is in the public domain because of the case. So I can't go home.
"I did not want to come here but until I can put measures in place to protect myself in England I will have to stay here. The weather is nice - but that is about the only good thing.". Hardingham's social media accounts show she has been enjoying the night life on the Canary Island - a favourite with Brits looking for sun all year around - and even "liking" a swanky seafood restaurant near to where she staying. The woman and a child fell from a blue Volvo opposite the Shell petrol station in Taverham at 9.54pm on April 21, 2023.
Hardingham, of Briston, Melton Constable, Norfolk, was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge after sustaining life-changing injuries. She recovered and was discharged three weeks later. Miraculously the baby only suffered minor injuries and was treated for a few days at Norwich and Norfolk Hospital before being allowed to go home. Hardingham was charged in June last year with assaulting, ill-treating, neglecting and abandoning a child to cause unnecessary suffering or injury. A spokesman for Norfolk Constabulary said Hardingham was "still outstanding" and was "still wanted" after failing to appear before Norwich Magistrates' Court.
