Frances Leate
EXCLUSIVE
By Frances Leate
A BRITISH holiday maker who went missing more than two months ago has been spotted in Vera, in Almeria.
Fears for the safety of Robert Golden, 54, from Sussex, have been growing since he failed to return from a walking holiday in November.
After seeing the appeal in the Olive Press, David Barnet, a resident of Vera, was shocked to see an unshaven Mr Golden walking passed his home near to the Gallasa offices on January 9.
Walking towards the AP-7 motorway towards Almeria, Mr Golden appeared dishevelled and was carrying a large knapsack.
Mr Barnet, who is deaf, told a friend who then reported it to Sussex Police.
His friend, Jeff Kember, said: “I had to pass the information on to the police because it is difficult for Mr Barnet to correspondent with them over the phone.
“He says it was definitely him and although he is deaf there is absolutely nothing wrong with his eye sight.
“We hope the police can follow this up and find him, because he seems disorientated and it is a worry.”
Mr Golden, who failed to return from a two week walking holiday, flew to Seville on November 5.
The IT worker from Shoreham, in Sussex, told friends he planned to go trekking around Andalucía and has not used his bank card since November 8.
The sighting follows a number of reports of Mr Golden being seen in the Alicante area.
Detective Chief Inspector Dave Wardley-Wilkins, of West Sussex investigation team, said: “On December 21 we received a report of a potential sighting of Mr Golden in Benissa in the province of Alicante.
“Although this is obviously good news, we have been unable to verify the sighting and are keen to hear from anyone else who believes they have seen Mr Golden so we can ensure he is safe and well.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Sussex Police on 101 (or 0044 1273 475432 from abroad) quoting serial 0804 of 21/11.
Have you seen Mr Golden? Please contact the Olive Press on 0034 952 895 230 or via email: newsdesk@theolivepress.es.
This is the 3rd middle-aged British male to disappear in Andalusia last year. What happened about Gordon Simms and John Leach? Never seen any reports since autumn.
“This is the 3rd middle-aged British male to disappear in Andalusia last year.”
Perhaps they wanted to disappear?
A new sighting:
Good evening Olive Press, my husband and I are holidaying in the Albayt Beach appartments at Casares Del Mar.
Today we walked into Sabinillas and shopped at Lidl Supermarket.
Leaving there at 4.15 p.m. we walked alongside the main road on the service road in the direction of Gibralter.
We passed a man who was obviously on a long distance walking trip.
As we reached the place where pedestrians can cross the main road we turned left to use the crossings to go over the road and down to the beach.As we waited to cross we were surprised to see The Walker come up behind us, overtake us and cross over the road and go down the road which leads to the beach. We thought he’d obviosly lost his bearings.
I noticed that his back pack consisted of two rolled up items [ one of whch I took to be a sleeping mat] and these were neatly rolled up and covered with plastic weatherproof material.They were attached to a largish haversack.
I got a good look at the man’s face–he was welltanned with a broadforehead and rather whispyish grey hair and appeared fit and was walking at a good pace.
Tonight we have been reading The Olive Press and the article about Mr Golden.The face immediately struck a cord with me hence this e.mail.
I hope this proves to be of use to you.
He probably wants to get away and is minding his own business.
Thank you for posting this Frances. Robert is my cousin and his family are very concerned about him, especially his Brother and Sister in Law. They have had no contact with Robert since he left England, and to go away and not return as expected, is totally out of character for Robert.
Please could I ask that if anyone does see Robert, would they just say Hello and ask him to contact his Brother, Barry, just to let him know that he is OK.
Perhaps he does want to get away and mind his own business, Fred, but when someone in your family does something like this you just want to know that they are OK and that they do not need any help in any way. Thank you.
Sally hope you get in touch with him, & ignore this guy when he’s on one (being obtuse and insulting that is… terrible).