Heartbreaking plea from daughter of Barnsley man who disappeared without a trace one year ago

Bethany Dainty has not seen her father for a year since he gave her a lift and dropped her off in Aston, Rotherham, on Friday November 15.

She and 56-year-old Richard Dyson had a close father-daughter relationship, and so the 20-year-old was quick to notice something was wrong when he failed to show at their next arranged meeting.

Ms Dainty reported her father missing on Monday, November 25.

No sightings have been made of Mr Dyson, who is from Barnsley, since Sunday November 17 at around 11pm, when he was last seen walking along the A6135 Sheffield Road, Hoyland, near to Parkside Farm.

Since then, his family have been forced to sit through Christmas, Father's Day and his birthday without him, while police have scoured his home, cars and phone records for signs which may explain his disappearance.

As today (Tuesday) marks a year since the last known sighting of Mr Dyson, Ms Dainty has spoken out on the ongoing crisis she described as "a bad dream" from which she couldn't escape, pleading for anyone who may have any possible information to come forward.

“The last 12 months have been the toughest of my life," she said.

"Waking up every day not knowing what has happened to Dad is like a bad dream that I can’t get away from.

"All I want to know is what happened.

"I am certain somebody, or maybe even more than one person, knows something that will help.

"I ask you directly, and from the bottom of my heart, please, please get in touch and tell somebody what you know. I don’t deserve to live like this, I just need some answers."

Mr Dyson is described as being between 5ft 10ins and 6ft tall, of a slim build and with short, grey hair. He was wearing a dark blue Kappa jacket when he disappeared.

The detective leading Mr Dyson's case also implored the public to cast their minds back to this time last year in case they may have been in the area.

Detective Inspector Neil Coop, from South Yorkshire Police, said: “Over the last year my team has trawled CCTV footage, conducted house-to-house enquiries, forensically examined Richard’s cars and carried out extensive telecoms work. This is still very much an active investigation and we are all focused on getting Bethany the answers she deserves.

“Bethany and Richard had a very close relationship and saw each other most Sundays. Over the last year this young woman has had to mark Richard’s birthday, Father’s Day, Christmas, her own birthday and countless other important dates without her dad. I don’t want another Christmas to pass with her not knowing what has happened.”

Det Insp Coop added: "Richard was known to spend time in the Elsecar and Hoyland areas of Barnsley.

"Please look at the photos of Richard and cast your mind back to this time last year.

"Did you see Richard? Did you have information that may help our investigation? It doesn’t matter how minor you think your contribution may be, we really do want to hear from you.

"What you know could be the key that unlocks this investigation and ultimately helps Bethany.”

People with information do not have to contact police if preferred, and can also contact Crimestoppers completely anonymously.

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