Louise Smith death: Man charged with murder of teenager found in woods after disappearing on VE Day

29-year-old woman released on bail

Handout CCTV image issued by Hampshire Constabulary of Louise Smith entering a Tesco Metro on Greywell Road shortly before 7.30pm on Thursday May 7 (PA)

A man has been charged with the murder of 16-year-old Louise Smith, who disappeared from her home in Havant, Hampshire on VE Day.

The teenager's body was found in a woodland in Havant on 21 May, 13 days after she was first reported missing.

Now Shane Lee Mays, 29, has been remanded in custody after being charged with her murder, Hampshire police have confirmed.

He will appear at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court on Friday morning.

A 29-year-old woman who was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender in connection with the investigation has been released on bail.

Police have not yet released a cause of death, and have continued to search the area where she was found.

Speaking before the police announced the charge Mandy Ferdinando, who had known Louise since she was a young girl, said: "She was a lovely girl with a heart of gold.

"The community is devastated, sad, shocked. I can't speak for everybody but when anyone hears of a young person, whoever it may be, it's very sad."

Additional reporting by PA