The inquest had also revealed discrepancies in the testimony of another witness,Paul Savage,a neighbour of William's foster-grandmother.

The widowed pensioner told the court that he didn't hear anything after William went missing,contrary to his police statement that he heard William's foster-father crying.

He also told the court that,when he went to speak to William's foster-grandmother - a 30-second conversation - she told him thatWilliam's foster-mother had left him outside while she went in to make a cup of tea.

But the long-time Kendall resident had not told police that in any of his interviews,the court heard.

Despite extensive searches,a dedicated strike force that at one stage had 26 officers,a $1 million reward and numerous public appeals,nobody has been charged over William's disappearance.

The inquest continues.