A man suspected of murdering a six-year-old schoolboy more than 20 years ago is taunting police with photos of him 'living it up' in the sunshine after fleeing to Portugal without a passport.

Convicted arsonist James Watson, 35, was arrested in April over the notorious and unsolved murder of schoolboy Rikki Neave, who was found strangled to death in 1994.

Watson was released on police bail but then absconded from a hostel in Northampton last month.

Now Watson has used a motorhome to smuggle himself out of the UK from Dover, Kent, and is understood to be hiding out in Portugal.

James Watson, 35, (left and right) who is suspected of killing a six-year-old child has fled the UK in a motorhome and is now sunning himself in Portugal

The self-confessed police hater - who served six years for fire-bombing a police station - said he just 'walked out the country' without any checks.

He has now sent a string of holiday photos to friends and family showing him drinking beer, sun-bathing and even posing nude as he laps up the rays on the Continent.

Watson said: 'The best thing is I don't even have a passport. I just walked out of our country.

'Me and a mate left the UK in a mobile home. Booked it on the ferry, drove on and that was that. No checks, nothing.'

In a message sent from sunny Portugal, he also accused police of trying to frame him for the murder, adding that officers were 'hounding' his family and making his life a misery.

Watson, who says he is gay, added: 'It has been the most stressful time of my 35 years. (I'm) getting the sun on me and making some memories for dark days.'

He said since his arrest the police have been desperately trying to pin something on him.

He said: 'When they arrested me at like 7.30pm they drove me to Huntingdon police station.

'It was closed but they opened the whole custody suite and had it rigged with cameras for the interview. It was intense and full on for the next few days.

The convicted arsonist was arrested in April over the notorious and unsolved murder of schoolboy Rikki Neave in 1994. He was released on police bail but then absconded from a hostel in Northampton last month

He has now sent a string of photos to friends and family showing him drinking beer, sun-bathing and even posing nude. He is pictured right in the motorhome in which he travelled

'They have hounded my friends and family. They have been round so many of my friends, old and new (trying to find information).'

A source close to him added: 'I think he has been enjoying himself too much. He has been drinking beer and lying around on the beach all day living it up.

'I think he is thinking it is the end. I have told him that he is breaking his bail and is not where he should be. He should be going back to the hostel.

'It wasn't even that strict there. They could stay out until 11pm.'

Rikki (pictured) went missing on November 28, 1994 and his naked body was found the following day in woodland. He had been strangled

The source said Watson is breaching the terms of his life licence by going abroad.

He said: 'He hasn't got a passport. Last year James, his mum and sister were planning a holiday abroad.

'This was before he got arrested and his probation officer said that he had to wait at least three years until after his release to go abroad.'

He added: 'It's all going to end badly. He needs to come back and face the music.

'I don't believe he did it and the police have got no evidence otherwise they would have charged him. I think he's made everything a lot worse by running away.'

Watson was originally arrested on April 19 when police raided his mother's flat on the same Welland estate in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire.

Rikki went missing near the estate on November 28, 1994 and his naked body was found the following day in woodland. He had been strangled.

After his first arrest Watson was taken away for days of 'intensive' questioning before being released on bail until June 15.

He was then rebailed again and is due to return to see police in September 20.

Police were made aware on July 15 that the suspect had breached his police bail by travelling overseas and UK police began liaison with European forces to locate him and ensure his return to this country.

A police spokesman said: 'We have reason to believe that the 35-year-old man from Peterborough who was arrested in connection with the historic murder of six-year-old Rikki Neave left the country while on police bail.

'We have been in communication with him and are working with him and partner agencies in order for him to return to the UK promptly.'

CCTV image of police arriving the home of James Watson in April at his flat in Peterborough before he was arrested

Police have told the schoolboy's mother Ruth - who stood trial for the murder but was acquitted- that they are aware of his frustration around the current situation.

However she has been told by a senior officer that 'every effort is being made to secure the suspect's return to the UK'.

It is understood that the Crown Prosecution Service has asked police to provide further evidence ahead of any likely charge.

Mrs Neave said: 'I am very anxious about all of this, I am under a lot of pressure and I have had to get some sedation to calm my nerves because they have been shot to pieces.'

Watson was given a indefinite sentence in January 2009 for causing £800,000 of damage by setting fire to the British Transport Police's headquarters in Peterborough city centre.

He was given a five year minimum tariff and released at the end of July 2015, after serving six years.