By Graeme Strachan

THERE WAS a sensational twist in the search for missing Monifieth woman Linda Hill yesterday when it emerged she was arrested on the night before she disappeared and spent several hours in police custody.

The police then dropped her off at her home in Riverview Caravan Park just before 6am on Sunday, April 6.

An hour later she told her husband she was going for a walk and has not been seen since.

Tayside Police failed to disclose the information at any stage of the investigation to date.

It is understood they did not feel it was relevant to the missing persons inquiry.

It only came to light yesterday through information supplied to The Courier.

The picture of Mrs Hill’s last night given by her family and the police has now been completely transformed.

The new information also raises the question of what state of mind she was in when she disappeared, having spent the early hours of Sunday detained in police custody.

Husband Kenny Hill has made several emotional appeals for his wife to return home.

Last week he and his daughter Claire (21) took part in a press conference at Tayside Police headquarters in Dundee, and described the night before her disappearance as “a normal night.”

It has emerged Mrs Hill (41) was issued with a fixed-penalty notice for a breach of the peace in Monifieth after an incident in the town centre while on a night out with her husband.

She had been out for a meal in Broughty Ferry with Mr Hill on the Saturday night before returning to Monifieth and drinking in The Vault Bar.

It is understood that police detained her sometime after midnight following an incident where Mrs Hill fell in front of a car in Reform Street.

Asked to confirm the latest development, a spokeswoman for Tayside Police said, “A 41-year-old woman was issued with a fixed-penalty notice following a minor breach of the peace.”

During the press conference at police headquarters, Mr Hill said, “We decided to go into the Ferry to the pub and have a few drinks.

“It was just a night that was usual, a normal night-out for a meal, going from pub to pub, enjoying each other’s company.”

Asked if he had any message for Linda, he said, “I know she will be scared.

“Just please, please, just come home.”

Mr Hill said she had been “fine” throughout the Saturday evening and the couple had returned home as normal.

He said she then disappeared after getting up early the next morning to go for a walk.

Detective Chief Inspector John Caughey, the man leading the hunt, was reluctant yesterday to say too much about the reasons for not releasing the information that has come to light.

He said, “I believe a press release is being put together and I wouldn’t want to put myself in a difficult situation by saying anymore.

“The bottom line is that this is still a missing persons inquiry and there’s a very good chance this person is still alive.

“The woman is still missing.”

Asked why Mrs Hill’s arrest was not disclosed by police, he added, “She’s entitled to some privacy.”

A press release did not materialise, however, as the day unfolded and calls to the police press office were not returned by the time of going to press. Mr Hill also could not be reached.

Police and other agencies have been involved in a massive search, including helicopter sweeps, divers and interviews with Mrs Hill’s family, friends and colleagues.

After days of scouring the land and water around Monifieth, officers were in the area over the weekend carrying out a poster and leaflet drop.

They were also at Riverview speaking to any residents and visitors, who may only use the busy park at weekends.

A Home Office Large Major Enquiry System (HOLMES) is at police headquarters in Forfar.

Mrs Hill went for a walk without her two dogs and left her money and credit cards at home.

She was believed to have been wearing a blue two-tone Regatta jacket, a white shirt, dark jeans and black knee-length boots. She is described as around 5ft 2in, of medium build, and with brown hair and brown eyes.