Australian police offer million-dollar reward for information on Bristol toddler abduction case

Australian police have offered a $1 million reward for information about the abduction and suspected murder of a Bristol toddler 50 years ago.

Cheryl Grimmer was three-years-old when she was kidnapped from the changing area of a beach in Australia in 1970.

She was spending the morning there with her mother and three brothers.

It was near the city of Wollongong in New South Wales (NSW).

The body of Cheryl, who was originally from Bristol, has never been found.

Now 50 years after her disappearance, NSW authorities have increased the reward for information to $1 million - around £528,000.

50 years later, the cause of her death has never been determined. Credit: Family handout

A man who cannot be named for legal reasons, who was 16 at the time, was due to face trial for murder last year.

However key evidence was rules 'inadmissible' and charges against him were dropped.

According to Australian media reports, a judge ruled that the man's interview with police officers in April 1971 couldn't be used in court because there was no parent, lawyer or other adult accompanying him.

In 2011 a coroner ruled Cheryl had died - but the cause and manner of her death have never been determined.

Homicide squad commander, detective superintendent Daniel Doherty, said:

Anyone with information is asked to contact CrimeStoppers: 1800 333 000 or visit https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.