Missing teen was staying with travelling folk in London
Posted by Lori Carnochan on October 30, 2009
By Lori Carnochan and Megan Berkley
A teenager who sparked a police hunt by going missing for three weeks was with travelling people throughout his ordeal, according to a family friend.
Jason Black, 16, from Ratho was reported missing on 8 October, but returned from London in the early hours of 29 October unaware of the fuss he had caused.
Marion Fairley, 24, said Jason was approached by a member of the travelling community who asked if he was homeless and offered him some labouring work in nearby Corstorphine and then London.
It is claimed that Jason agreed and spent the first seven days staying with nine other boys in a cabin in Preston Pans.
Marion said: “Jason felt like he needed some space away from his friends and family.
“He was happy to be offered work and thought it would be fun.”
It is believed that Jason’s grandmother was handing out leaflets in Corstorphine at the same time Jason was working in the area.
After seven days, it is believed Jason was offered the chance to travel down to London for labouring work and he happily accepted.
Marion said: “Jason was very excited about the prospect of working in London and thought he would make some money.”
Jason turned 16 two days before he arrived back home. Marion asked Jason why he didn’t make it home for his birthday and he allegedly said that he just needed some time to himself.
Jason arrived home at 12.30am on Thursday morning and went straight to his mother’s room and said he was home.
He was apparently unaware that anyone had been looking for him and didn’t realise there had been police searches for him.
Marion said: “Jason couldn’t believe it when he went to the post office and seen a ‘Missing Teenager’ poster.”
Jason and his family celebrated his belated birthday with a Chinese take-away on Thursday evening.
Marion believes that the whole community is glad he is back home and safe.
She said: “We are all happy that Jason is back. He has had a good telling off from everyone he knows but the main thing is that he is safe and well.”
Lothian and Borders police were unable to clarify whether Jason had been staying in London, however they did state that they were pleased he had returned home.
