The washing machine repairman who has been assisting police with their inquiries in the case of missing toddler William Tyrell has spoken for the first time.
“It has been very difficult. I wish to thank our family, our friends for the overwhelming support that we have received from them over this time,” 63-year-old William Harrie Spedding told Nine News.
No charges have been laid against the grandfather from Bonny Hills.
The national interest in the case has placed him under an intense amount of public scrutiny, and his family members have rushed to publicly defend his character.
“My uncle I love him his (sic) innocent, he would never hurt a fly,” Mr Spedding’s niece posted on Facebook.
“People need to stop saying stuff about him and personal details about him on media …”
The tradesman has offered a DNA sample to police, but police say he is not a suspect in the child’s disappearance.
Three-year-old William Tyrell was last seen wearing his Spiderman costume on Friday September 12 around 10.30am playing on the balcony of his grandmother’s house in Kendall on the NSW mid-north coast.
Mr Spedding allegedly gave a quote for repairs at the Kendall home where William was last seen, four days before the three-year-old disappeared in September.
During the raids on two properties in the NSW mid-north coast earlier this week, detectives seized a computer, cars and a single mattress in the extensive search for the missing toddler. The items will now undergo forensic testing.
Excavation crews and a pump were seen at the home, with reports that the septic tank at the property was being emptied.
It is believed police sought search warrants for the properties after a call from crime stoppers.
An extensive search of local bushland and waterways in the area when William disappeared in September failed to reveal any trace of the toddler.
Superintendent Paul Fehon, who is leading the investigation, has previously stated that police would have found something by now if the young boy had met misadventure in nearby bushland.
“We are completely open to any possibility, including human intervention,” he said.
It is understood that police have been searching numerous properties for several months in relation to William’s disappearance.
Any persons with information are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
