Brother’s Plea for Information on Missing 70-year-old

Published on: 5 Jul, 2017
Updated on: 7 Jul, 2017

James Middleton

Regular Guildford Dragon reader Dave Middleton is appealing for information about his missing brother James.

Dave writes: “My 70-year-old brother, James (Jim) Middleton who lives in Epsom, went missing from home on Sunday afternoon 2nd July. He was on his light blue mobility scooter, which has a range of about 25 to 30 miles.

“He suffers from Parkinson’s disease and can become confused at times. He didn’t take his phone with him, nor did he take any money or medication.

“Although he lives in Epsom, he knows Guildford fairly well and for several years in the 1990s and early 2000s he was a member and instructor with the Wey Kayak Club on Riverside at Bellfields, so, although it’s a long shot, he may have found his way down to this area.”

Surrey Police is growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of the missing Epsom man.

Scooter similar to that used by missing brother Jim Middleton

Jim Middleton was using a light blue mobility scooter when he was last seen. He was believed to have been heading toward the Stew Ponds and the Christ Church area of Epsom.

A police statement said: “The 70-year-old has not returned home as expected and officers are concerned for his welfare as this is out of character.

“Officers have been searching the area since he went missing and have had the assistance of the National Police Air Service, as well as Surrey Search and Rescue.”

Mr Middleton is described as white, 5ft 6 inches tall, of large build, with brown greying hair. He was wearing a body warmer, dark grey shorts, blue trainers, white socks and was riding his 4-wheeled light blue mobility scooter.

Anyone who knows where he is or who has seen him is asked to call immediately on 101 (999 in an emergency), quoting the reference number P17165048.

Responses to Brother’s Plea for Information on Missing 70-year-old

Dave Middleton Reply

July 7, 2017 at 5:03 pm

Thank you to The Dragon NEWS team for publishing this.

Since it was published, the commons at Epsom and Ashtead, including the ponds and lakes on the commons, have been extensively searched by the police, Surrey Search and Rescue, the Fire & Rescue Service and a small army of local volunteers, all to no avail and we are beginning to think that Jim has gone further afield, but we have no idea where.

He hasn’t made contact with any of his friends or family and there have been no positive sightings since Sunday afternoon, 2nd July.

Please, may I ask anyone who has a house that backs onto common land, farm land or any kind of waste ground to take a look and anyone that’s out and about to keep an eye out for him? His scooter will probably have flat batteries by now and be immobile, so if you come across a blue mobility scooter abandoned somewhere, it might well be his.

A public Facebook page has been set up, “Find James Middleton” and any new information will be posted there.