Renewed appeal for missing Arbroath marine after daughter's birth

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-21927745

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The wife of a Royal Marine who went missing from an Angus military base has appealed for him to get in touch following the birth of their daughter.

Ralph Hebden, who is originally from Toxteth in Liverpool, was last seen outside the Morrison's in Arbroath shortly after 08:30 on 11 March.

He left home with the intention of going for a run in the Victoria Park/Arbroath cliffs area.

On Friday, his wife Sarah gave birth to their daughter.

Officers from Tayside Police have been carrying out extensive searches in and around Arbroath.

Needed at home

Ms Hebden said: ''Ralph, your daughter has been born. She is safe and healthy and we are both doing well.

"But we both need you home with us and we need you now. Please come home.''

Up to 30 police officers have been involved in the search for 32-year-old Mr Hebden, including two officers in his home town of Liverpool.

Tayside Police said they had spoken to hundreds of people across the Angus town in the hope they might have seen Mr Hebden on the day he went missing, or in the time since.

The force said they had taken 140 witness statements as part of the inquiry.

A review of public and private CCTV footage has also been undertaken.

Get in touch

Insp Ally Robertson said: ''Clearly, our fears for Ralph grow with each passing day, but we dearly hope that news of the best possible kind, being a dad to a healthy baby girl, will reach him.

"Sarah and the baby need Ralph home. Ralph's family need to know he is safe and well and I appeal to him to get in touch as soon as possible to offer Sarah some peace of mind at what should be a happy time.''

The marine is a keen walker and is known to go on very long walks, heading miles outside of the Arbroath area, sometimes venturing as far as Barry Buddon and even the Carse of Gowrie.

He is 6ft 4in tall and of muscular build, with short cropped fair hair.

When last seen he was last seen wearing black trainers, dark blue or black jogging bottoms, a blue fleece and a black beanie hat. He also had a blue rain jacket with him.