A 12-YEAR-OLD girl missing from home for five days was found hiding in a “secret wall” at a 19-year-old man’s house in Castle, her mum has revealed.

The Weaverham schoolgirl was found concealed in a chimney breast behind a wardrobe with her 15-year-old cousin at the house following a series of tip-offs about the two girls’ whereabouts.

The astonishing claim was made this week in a letter to the Chronicle. We contacted police and detectives are now looking into some of the claims made against the man, who is currently in prison.

The girl’s mum said: “My family and I were out of our minds thinking the worst. I thought I was never going to see my daughter again.

“I was told that she was hiding out in a 19-year-old man’s house on Castle. We told the police and the property was searched and my daughter was not found.

“Two days later I received an anonymous call informing me that my daughter was at the property and to check upstairs because there was a secret wall – I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“On the fifth day of my daughter’s disappearance the police finally checked the secret wall and my daughter was found, along with my 15-year-old niece.”

She added: “We have tried to have the man charged but nothing has been done, we are disgusted.”

Insp Peter Minghella, head of Northwich Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: “The man referred to has been dealt with by the criminal justice system with regard to unrelated offences and is currently serving a prison sentence.

“Upon his release we will address a number of concerns with him – focusing primarily on the age of those he associates with.”