CANDLES and a sheet found in the Thames have been ruled out of the murder enquiry surrounding the ritualistic killing of a five-year-old boy.

The Met Police appealed for information about the candles wrapped in a sheet, which were found washed-up near Chelsea Bridge, on January 3.

Detectives believed there could have been a link between them and the headless and limbless torso of a boy found floating in the Thames, near Tower Bridge, on September 21, last year.

But extensive investigations spanning the Atlantic have discovered the candles were used for a prayer rather than a muti sacrifice.

The west African name Adekoye Jo Fola Adeoye appears on the sheet. He was located in America after work with the American police, immigration officials and UK Customs.

A police spokesman said: "Scotland Yard officers together with NYPD officers interviewed the man on February 9. He confirmed he was the person referred to on the sheet and gave possible reasons for its use.

"He supplied details of friends and associates in the UK who have confirmed they held a prayer service seeking to protect him following recent events in the USA.

"Appeals for information regarding Adam and the investigation continue."

Police took the unprecedented step of naming the boy "Adam" until his identity is known. They are offering £50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer or killers.

A second post mortem conducted by South African pathologist Professor Hendrik Scholtz, who specialises in the investigation of ritualistic killings, said the murder bore all the hallmarks of a "muti" slaying.

Anyone with information about Adam should call 020 8853 1212 and ask for incident room or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.