A MAN is being questioned by police on suspicion of murdering a young woman he is thought to have met on the internet.

The girl's body was found in a field near Sedgefield, County Durham, and although she has not yet been formally identified detectives believe she is a 17-year-old girl from the Darlington area.

Speaking from the scene this morning, Detective Chief Inspector Paul Harker, said: "This is a very tragic case that came about from a strange set of circumstances."

Officers from Cleveland police discovered the body after a man who had been stopped for minor driving offences on the A177 led them to the scene.

The 32-year-old had been held at Middlesbrough police station after his arrest at 5.40pm on Monday night.

While he was in the cells he asked to speak to detectives and said that he knew the whereabouts of a body and agreed to take police to the scene.

He led officers to a back lane near a Little Chef restaurant and Travelodge, on the A177/A689 roundabout, where the girl's body was found at 10.55pm.

The area was immediately cordoned off, a tent erected at the scene and a police guard set up overnight.

Forensics experts and a Home Office pathologist are now examining the scene.

Det Chief Insp Harker said there was no indication the girl had been sexually assaulted and that she was fully clothed when found.

He expects formal identification and a post mortem to be carried out this afternoon and said it is not yet known how, when or where she died.

Mr Harker said the arrested man, who is being held at Darlington police station, is thought to be from Merseyside and may have links to the Stockton area.

He said: "We are trying to establish exactly who he is.

"He has given us two different names and we are trying to establish through fingerprints his identity."

Mr Harker said the case was a stark reminder of the risks of meeting people via the internet.

He said: "Please don't meet people met on internet unless you are certain it is safe.

"My message to parents is to monitor what your children are doing, don't let them hide away doing things on their own. Speak to them about it, speak to their friends, let them know the dangers of the internet."

Detective Superintendent Andy Reddick, who is heading the investigation, said it is believed that the two met on the internet.

The teenager was last seen by her mother shortly after 7pm on Sunday night when she said she was staying overnight at a friend's house and would be back on Monday lunchtime.

When she failed to return home the mother repeatedly rang her daughter's mobile phone in a bid to find out where she was but did not get a reply.

Detectives are now appealing for help to trace the movements of a dark blue Ford Mondeo, registration number S148JNK, between 7pm on Sunday and 5.40pm on Monday.

Anyone with information, especially sightings of the car, is urged to contact Durham police on 0345-60-60-365.

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