MYSTERY OF MAN WHO VANISHED NEARLY 22 YEARS AGO TAKES DRAMATIC TWIST

Cold case murder detectives have made an arrest in the unsolved mystery surrounding the disappearance of a Scottish man more than two decades ago. 

Robert Scott Clive has never been seen following a night out on 11 October, 2002 in North Shields, Northumbria. 

For 22 years his family have hoped to find out happen to the 30-year-old whose body has never been recovered. 

Last week in a breakthrough officers from Northumbria Police revealed they had arrested a 49-year-old man on suspicion of his murder. 

The suspect is now on police bail pending further enquiries.  

Originally police believed the labourer known as Scott had fallen in the River Tyne.  

Detective Inspector Mark Atherton, who heads the investigation, 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 was from Stranraer and moved to North Shields- a town a short drive from Newcastle- about ten months before his death. 

Scott stayed in regular contact with his family, calling to speak to his mother. 

On the day he vanished he was attending a party with friends before last being seen at Customs House, a series of flats for single people. 

After several days of not calling home he was reported missing and police launched a missing person enquiry and then several weeks later a murder probe was opened. 

No one has ever been charged with his death.  

Patricia Clive, 72, released an appeal calling for anyone who has information to step forward. 

She explained the eldest of her four grandsons had recently turned 30, the age 'Scott' was when he went missing. 

'We can not help but make comparisons, he is living his life to the full and has everything we wished for Scott.

'We can not 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.'

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2024-07-04T11:12:38Z dg43tfdfdgfd