A TV detective, looking into the disappearance of Jay Slater, says the teenager ‘took a £12,000 watch’ shortly before going missing in Tenerife.

Mark Williams-Thomas, a former police officer, has provided an update after speaking with family, friends, and witnesses.

Mark, who is now back in England after flying out to Tenerife on June 24, said Jay left Veronicas Strip, in Las Americas, in a Seat Leon hire car.

He was with two men casually known to him.

“All three males, including Jay, travelled north via the main motorway, the TF1, to go to the two males’ holiday rental Casa Abuela Tina in Masca which was around an hour drive away.

En route, Jay posted a Snapchat saying he had taken a £12,000 Rolex from a person.

Mark said: “En route Jay posted a Snapchat saying he had taken a £12,000 Rolex from a person.

"We’ve been unable to validate this in terms of reported thefts. Friends of Jay said he would not make this up and the watch was subject to later conversation between the friends.”

At the rental, Jay contacted friends on social media.

Mark said: “During these calls various video chats were had and pictures were sent including the one he took on the doorstep.

“I am confident that the photo on the doorstep is him, wearing a throw from the apartment and black and green Air Max trainers which he had on, on the night he went out."

Mark, who looked into the disappearance of Lancashire mum Nicola Bulley, said the host of the rental property told him a bus was leaving at 10am.

According to Mark, information suggests that Jay left the rental property “feeling scared”.

He said: “We’ve received information that would suggest Jay left the rental property feeling scared.

“He would not return to the rental even though that would have been the most sensible course of action. We continue to investigate this aspect”.

Mark said he has ruled out a hostage and kidnapping situation because no credible ransom demand has been made.

However, he says “there are still a number of outstanding actions” so remains “open-minded to the possibility of this changing”.

Mark said: “His disappearance has attracted worldwide media attention and extensive coverage on social media.

“This has led to massive speculation on social media with theories, at times, very misleading with inaccurate information.

“What people lose sight of or don’t consider is Jay’s family and close friends read a lot of what has been posted online and in the media.

“Some of it has been unfair and unkind to a family who are in total shock and despair.”

Key points from Mark Williams-Thomas’ investigation

  • Jay left Veroincas Strip, Las Americas, shortly before 6am. He was in a Seat Leon hire car, with two males casually known to him. Jay and a number of his friends had spent time with them both, over the previous two days.
  • All three males, including Jay, travelled north via the main motorway, the TF1, to go to the two males’ holiday rental Casa Abuela Tina in Masca.
  • En route, Jay posted a Snapchat saying he’d taken a £12,000 Rolex from a person.
  • They arrived at the rental around 7am. Jay had contact with friends on social media, inside and outside the rental.
  • There was a level of communication with the host of the rental property in which he communicated via ‘hand [signals] that the bus was leaving at 10am, from the bus stop right by the apartment. Jay walked off turning left and up the hill.
  • While on the walk he talked to and messaged his friends. He spoke to at least three people telling them he was lost, with little phone battery and without water.
  • He was told to go back to the rental by two people but he said ‘he could not do that. He had already been walking 30 minutes and he was now off-road walking on a track with loose stones.
  • At around 8.50 he sent his location via Whatsapp and Snapchat. There was no indication he was with anyone.
  • Information suggests Jay left the rental property feeling scared.
  • Hostage and kidnapping situations are currently ruled out because no credible ransom demand has been made