MAN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH 22-YEAR-OLD MURDER MYSTERY OF SCOT
- Robert Scott Clive was last seen on October 10, 2002 on a night out in North Shields, Tyneside
- Northumbria Police's Major Investigation Team say they have arrested a 49-year-old man in connection with his disappearance
- Mr Clive's body has never been found, though unconfirmed sightings suggest he may have been near the banks of the River Tyne in the early hours
Police have arrested a man as part of a murder probe after the disappearance of a Scot 22 years ago.
Robert Scott Clive, known as Scott, was last seen shortly after 11pm on October 10, 2002, in North Shields, North Tyneside.
The then 30-year-old, who was originally from Stranraer, Wigtownshire, was reported missing after a night out in the town by concerned family members and a murder investigation was launched.
His body was never been found, and unconfirmed sightings in the early hours of the following morning placed a man appearing to match his description near the banks of the River Tyne.
Since his disappearance, officers have reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV footage and spoken to witnesses in a bid to piece together his final movements.
Last week officers from Northumbria Police’s Major Investigation Team (MIT) arrested a 49-year-old man in connection with the disappearance.
He has since been released on police bail with enquiries ongoing.
Detective Inspector Mark Atherton, who is leading on the case, has now re-appealed for anybody with information to come forward.
He said: ‘We have always kept an open mind as to the exact circumstances surrounding Scott’s disappearance and that remains the case.
‘However, upon receiving new information in recent weeks, we took the decision to arrest a man and he was interviewed in police custody in relation to Scott’s disappearance.
‘The key to this investigation could still be out there within the local community - and I am today urging anybody who has information about Scott’s movements that night to come forward.
‘Scott’s family have had to live for the last 22 years not knowing what happened to him - and we hope to give them the closure they deserve, by finding out what exactly happened that night.
‘Please, if you know anything, think of them and pass on any relevant information to us.’
Specialist officers are continuing to offer his family support as the investigation into their loved one’s disappearance continues.
His mother, Patricia Clive, said: ‘I have four grandsons and the eldest has just turned 30 - the age Scott was when he went missing.
‘We can’t help but make comparisons, he is living his life to the full and has everything we wished for Scott.
‘We can’t bear this torment any longer - almost 22 years of us missing him and not knowing what happened, we need to lay it and Scott to rest.
‘If you have any information please come forward, the family need closure so that we can mourn him and hopefully move forward.’
Read more 2024-07-04T15:43:15Z dg43tfdfdgfd