Missing teen has police baffled

MISSING person appeal . . . PCSO Donna Wheeler delivers leaflets

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Detectives are desperate to find a starting point in the hunt for missing Royton teenager Ciaron Nuttall.
Mystery surrounds the whereabouts of the 19-year-old, who vanished on March 5. The case has since been handed to the Major Incident Team.

Specially-trained officers are now scouring open spaces and derelict buildings around Cardigan Street in Royton, where he was last seen.

Masses of leaflets were handed out yesterday as police carried out door-to-door enquiries in a bid to uncover a shred of detail which could kick-start the investigation.

Detective Chief Inspector Pete Giles, from the Major Incident Team, said: “We cannot rule out anything. We have no idea what has happened. We’re getting more and more concerned as time goes on.

“Ciaron’s parents are frantic. His mum thinks he would not have the capacity to look after himself for too long. She thinks he would be back if he could.

“We have got a lot of CCTV images and videos but we don’t have a starting point so there is a lot to get through.”

Ciaron’s bank account remains untouched.

More details are now emerging about the former St Cuthbert School pupil’s last known moves and possible motives for his disappearance.

Ciaron, who recently worked at the Railway pub but was unemployed at the time of his disappearance, was in debt to friends and locals, although police say they were not substantial amounts.

It’s also known a former girlfriend had recently started seeing somebody else, which had upset him.

Ciaron stormed out of his home after a row with his mum on March 3. He stayed with friends until the morning of March 5. A phone call was made shortly before 1pm that day but his mobile has not been used since. It powered down a week later.

DCI Giles added: “It is out of character. If he had a tiff with his mum before, he would usually come back.

“He likes to dress right and be smart so he would come back at least to change his clothes.

“He is constantly texting and using Facebook but he has done none of that since.”

Shockwaves have rippled through the area with missing posters prominent in shop windows.

Ciaron’s name is on everyone’s lips.

Antony Stone (40), a regular at the Railway, said: “I saw him in the pub, he was talking to somebody.

“He said he was getting his passport application sorted as he planned to go to Ireland. I presumed he meant on holiday.

“He was confident and happy-go-lucky. It’s just a shock.”

Tom Elford (20) worked with Ciaron behind the bar. He said: “Ciaron is a big character — a really nice guy.

“I saw him walk across the road about six weeks ago. All the staff are worried about his safety.

“Ciaron was sociable. If he wasn’t here working he was drinking with friends.”

Anyone with information on Ciaron, who is 5ft 9in tall, of slim build with short brown hair, is asked to call the Major Incident Team on 0161-856 2446, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555 111.