Missing man sparks media frenzy in Chineham (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Missing man sparks media frenzy in Chineham

5:09pm Monday 3rd December 2007 in Local By Vicky O'Hare

THE country's media descended on a north Hampshire street today following a suggestion that the man who walked into a police station five years after going missing could be staying there.

Reporters and photographers from national newspapers and television news channels descended on Ajax Close in Chineham early this morning as it was thought that the son of John Darwin - who went missing in the North Sea five-and-a-half-years ago - was living in a house there.

Mr Darwin's shattered kayak was found on a beach near his Hartlepool home in March 2002 and, despite extensive searches involving coastguards and helicopters, the father-of-two was never found.

It is believed that his son Anthony lives in Ajax Close with his wife and two children.

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, described Anthony as a "lovely guy" and said he had lived in Ajax Close for about four years.

"He's got two kids and a wife and they pretty much keep themselves to themselves," she added.

John Darwin's wife Anne is believed to have emigrated to Australia in the past year.

Mr Darwin, who was 51 when he went missing, was working as a prison officer before his disappearance.

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said: "The family have been informed. We have no account of what has happened in the last five years. He walked into a police station and said I think I am a missing person'.

"The guy cannot remember anything about what has happened or why he has come forward.

"He has no memory at all. He has obviously been somewhere for the last five years and a lot of questions need answering."

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said Mr Darwin was not held in custody.

It is believed that Mr Darwin's other son lives in Berkshire.