Anguish continues for loved ones of Robert Scott Clive 22 years after he vanished in North Shields
The 30-year-old disappeared on October 10 2002
by Sophie Doughty · ChronicleLiveLife for the loved ones of missing Robert Scott Clive is lived in constant limbo.
What happened to the 30-year-old, who was known as Scott, has remained a mystery since he went missing 22 years ago today. And the passage of time has done nothing to lessen the anguish felt by his tortured family.
The first breakthrough in the case in years came earlier this year when police revealed they had arrested a suspect on suspicion of murder. But as the investigation continues Scott's mum Tricia is marking yet another year without her son.
And today on the anniversary of his disappearance the 73-year-old has once again told of her family's torment.
She said: "Scott’s 20th anniversary was a really big milestone for us now two years later we are still in limbo. Our family have missed out on all those birthdays and other celebrations that we should have shared with him. Please help us to find out what has happened to Scott.”
Scott, moved to North Shields from Stranraer in Scotland, 10 months before he vanished. The labourer, who was living in a bedsit on Prudhoe Terrace, was reported missing by his family in Scotland after no-one heard from him for several days.
At first police treated Scott as a missing person, but several weeks later a murder probe was launched, despite the fact no body had been found. Detectives made a number of public appeals for information, and released CCTV images of Scott captured hours before he vanished. They said Scott had been drinking in North Shields before going to a party.
The last known sighting of Scott was when he was in the Customs House, accommodation for single people in Borough Road, North Shields, where he had been with several other people, on the night of October 10.
Seven people were arrested in connection with Scott’s disappearance, but no-one was ever charged. Then In 2008, Northumbria Police detectives carried out a major review of the case. Police divers were sent into the Tyne in April that year after a new witness came forward saying they had seen a man matching Scott’s description by the edge of the river during the early hours of October 11, 2002. No trace of his body was found, but police told Scott's family they believed he had gone into the river.
Northumbria Police arrested a 49-year-old man this summer after new information about the case came to light. He was questioned on suspicion of murder before being released on bail.
At the time of his disappearance, Scott was described as white, 5ft 11ins and of medium build. He had a pale complexion, blue eyes, and dark brown hair in a short crew cut style. His teeth are slightly crooked at the front and chipped. When Scott was last seen he was wearing black Nike trainers, a black jacket, blue or green jeans, and a beige jumper. Scott’s distinguishing features include; half of his big toe missing and a scar through one eyebrow. He has a skull tattoo on his lower left arm with Tam o’ Shanter & ‘Scotland’ written below. He also has a tattoo with the letters ‘R. F. C’ on his right wrist.
The charity Missing People have been supporting Scott's family.
Ndella Senghore from the charity said: "If anyone has any information about Scott’s disappearance, they can contact Missing People’s helpline. Scott, if you are reading this, please get in touch. You can call us on 116 000 or email 116000@missingpeople.org.uk Our service is non-judgemental, confidential, and free thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery. We just want to provide you with the support you need and help you to be safe. The helpline is here to support people who are missing or thinking of going missing and their loved ones who are left behind and is operated by trained staff and volunteers."
Alternatively you can contact Northumbria Police quoting reference NP-20240703-0398.
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