A FRANTIC mother today told of her fear that missing 11-year-old Daniel Sharples could have fallen into the hands of a child molester.

Mother Jacqueline, who is eight and a half months pregnant, spoke of her worst nightmare: "I have been told that he might have spent the night at the home of a middle aged man. I just don't know what to believe, I am sick with worry because you hear about such horrible things happening to children.''

Daniel has not contacted his family since leaving home in Harold Avenue, Burnley, at 3pm on Friday.

Although he has been missing before he has not been away for more than a night and has then contacted members of his family by telephone.

His worried family have spent the last few days searching streets and play areas especially in the Duke Bar area where they lived until recently and where Daniel is well known.

They were told that he had spent at least one night at the home of a middle aged man. He was seen by his sister, Natalie, ten, in nearby Briercliffe Road on Sunday. She pleaded with him to ring home and he told her he was going camping with a friend.

Mrs Sharples said: "We can't understand why he has not been in touch. He is no angel and has been in trouble before. But he has always contacted us and I am now just terrified about what might have happened to him.''

Police have officers full-time searching for the missing boy.

Inspector Geoff Lee said police had been to a particular house four times but that Daniel was not there.

There was also a report that he may be living rough in an old caravan in the Stoneyholme area. An early morning visit had been made but again there was no sign of the missing boy.

Inspector Lee said there were concerns about Daniel because of his age and thought he was thought to be around the Duke Bar area where he had been seen a number of times.

Mrs Sharples said: "As far as we know he has not been seen since Sunday. I am appealing for anyone with information to contact me on 421618 or tell the police.''

When he left home Daniel was not wearing a jacket or coat and had no money.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Insp lee or PC Paul Ogden on 425001.

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