by Aly Fraser, 22 October 09
Fears are mounting for the well-being of missing 15 year-old Jason Black. Jason, from Ratho, Edinburgh, was last seen nearly two weeks ago on his way to school in the city centre.
CCTV footage has been released showing him getting off the X48 Lothian Bus on the Bridges turning right onto the Royal Mile and then walking down South Gray’s Close which adjoins the Cowgate. However he failed to attend his classes that afternoon at Panmure House Support School.
His mother, Karen, has said that two days before his disappearance they had had a row concerning him staying out until 5.30am drinking. This was the last time they spoke. Despite concerns for his safety, she thinks he may be staying with new friends or acquaintances and has not come to any harm.
She said: “I don’t see how anyone could hurt Jason or anything like that. He’s not a fighter and wouldn’t get into that kind of trouble. He’s very friendly and really good company.
“He has a lot of friends from all over the place and I’m certain he’s with someone he knows. He hates the cold and likes his home comforts, so he won’t be out somewhere on his own.
“It’s his birthday next Tuesday and we really want him, or anyone who knows where he is, to come forward and let us know he’s safe.”
Jason used to be a pupil at Balerno Community High School but was enrolled at Panmure House due to frequent truancy. His family said this is the first time he has run away.
“He hadn’t been going to school for the past couple of years and I knew he wasn’t happy. His grandad died, who he was very close to, then he fell out with his best friend about 18 months ago, and I think that was when he started seeing older people instead.
“He met a lot of people at Panmure from different areas of Edinburgh. The police have been trying to find him by talking to his friends there but he may have befriended some of their pals which they didn’t even know about. Jason is a very sociable person.
“But he was looking ghastly before he went missing and I think that was because of the lifestyle he was leading with the drinking and late nights. We’re worried about him and just want him to come home.”
There has been a heightened Police presence in and around Ratho, Edinburgh and Livingston, where Jason is known to have friends. Passengers on the Ratho-City Centre X48 bus are regularly being asked questions about whether they saw Jason around midday on 8th October.
Jason is described as being 6ft tall, of thin build with blue eyes and short brown hair. he was last seen wearing jeans, dark jumper and black trainers.
Anyone with any information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.
