"It’s not everyday an eight-year-old finds a skull at the back of your house"
On Saturday afternoon (September 14), eight-year-old Mikey Robertson was playing out with his friend and sister at a park in Dukinfield - something they had done on many occasions in the past.
Having played in the playground at Tame Valley Community Green off Park Road, the two boys had ventured up into a nearby woodland to explore and to ‘find new places’. But when they had climbed up a muddy hill at the back of the woods - in-between where the park meets Dukinfield Cemetery - they made the grim discovery of three skulls lying on the ground.
Running back home, Mikey told his mum, Clair Derbyshire, and his dad, who asked not to be named, about what he had found. Unconvinced it was anything serious, he gave his son his phone and told him to take a picture of the discovery in a bid to dispel that it was something to be worried about.
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“They were just playing out in the back in the woods,” his dad told the Manchester Evening News this afternoon. “They’re always there. He came back and told me that he had found some skulls and, I’ll be honest, I just didn’t believe him. When he came back with a photo on my phone, I was quite surprised about it - there was no mistaking what it was.”
Having rung the police, Mikey and his 14-year-old sister, Poppy Maynard, led officers back to the scene - resulting in the area at Dukinfield Cemetery and on the surrounding streets being immediately cordoned off.
As officers patrolled the grounds overnight to carry out investigations, a statement was issued on Sunday morning (September 15) to report that suspected human remains were found on Park Road, near Dukinfield Cemetery.
Officers later concluded on Sunday afternoon that the remains were historic and had been disturbed by wildlife. GMP said that no criminal investigation will be taking place, whilst Tameside Council said the remains would eventually be ‘sensitively’ returned to their resting place.
“I was shocked by it,” Mikey said of the find. “I am always going there. The other week, there were no skulls and then yesterday, they were right there on the ground.”
But the eight-year-old said he was also undeterred by the find. An aspiring archaeologist, he said he found it ‘fascinating’ and was hoping that more would be shared in the coming weeks about the find.
“He collects fossils and old World War coins, so he was sort of mesmerised by the discovery,” his dad said. “He’s not really one that’ll freak out, he’s not bothered by things like that.
“He’s more interested in how old it is and where it has come from, so we’re hoping they will release some more information about it so he can find out what happened. But, it is sad to find something like that - it’s someone’s family, after all.”
Mikey's dad said he was glad neither his son or his friend had seemed too phased by their discovery - and he said he was pleased with how quickly police responded to their report.
“The police really didn’t take too long to respond at all, they sent some PCSO’s round at first but then after we spoke to them, there was a swarm of cars and sirens coming from down the road. They were on the back all night looking at it.
“It’s not everyday an eight-year-old finds a skull at the back of your house.”
Detective Inspector Christoper Dean, from GMP's Tameside district, said this afternoon: “I would like to thank the general public and the local community for their patience and understanding while we carried out our investigations in Dukinfield this morning and into the afternoon.
“Our enquiries alongside Tameside Council and the Coroner’s Office have concluded that no criminality has taken place and these bones have resurfaced due to wildlife in the local area. We will continue to work with the local authority and our officers will continue to assist them with scene management.”
A Tameside Council Spokesperson added: “The historic burial site was unfortunately disturbed by wildlife in the area. The site will be kept secure as we make the appropriate arrangements to sensitively return the remains to their resting place and restore the land.
“We would like to thank Greater Manchester Police for their swift investigation and support.”