Police plea to teenager five years after he vanished

YESTERDAY marked the fifth anniversary of the disappearance of schoolboy Andrew Gosden, who vanished after leaving his South Yorkshire home and catching a train to London.

The last known sighting of Andrew, then 14, is a grainy CCTV image which captures him leaving Kings Cross station on September 14, 2007.

Earlier that morning, he had left his home in Balby, Doncaster, for McAuley Catholic High School as usual.

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However, he then returned home after his parents Kevin and Glenys had gone to work, got changed out of his school uniform and withdrew £200 from his savings account.

He then bought a one-way ticket to the capital from Doncaster station and caught the 9.35am train to Kings Cross.

Police have received information on “hundreds” of potential sightings, in locations ranging from Newcastle to Eastbourne, although none have proved to be Andrew.

His DNA, fingerprints and dental and health records have been circulated to appropriate agencies and organisations, and age-progressed photographs have been released in a bid to show what he may now look like.

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Meanwhile, his devastated family have travelled to London on numerous occasions to try to find him.

Detective Superintendent Lisa Ray, who is leading the investigation, said: “I am appealing specifically for people to come forward if they think they know a 19-year-old man that could be Andrew.

“This may be his new friends, neighbours or workmates who have known the teenager for a short time, but aren’t aware of his past beyond the last few years.

“I am interested to hear from any professionals, doctors, dentists, hospital staff who may have treated a 19-year-old man who has no records going back beyond the last five years.

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“I’d also like to make a personal appeal to Andrew as an adult. Andrew please contact us confidentially, so we can reassure your family that you are safe and well.

“Anyone who thinks they know Andrew and Andrew himself is urged to call South Yorkshire Police 101, or call Missing People on 116 000.”