Missing Ben Clarkson
By Russell Truran
Police have reiterated their appeals for information about missing man Ben Clarkson.
Originally from Leeds, Ben Clarkson, 22, has not been seen since leaving Fibbers nightclub in York at 3.40am on Sunday 2 March.
Fibbers nightclub, York
The alarm was raised when he failed to turn up for his shift at Banks Music Room in Lendal the following day.
Store manager Andrew Nixon said today:
“Our thoughts are very much with Ben’s family and friends.”
Banks Music Room, York
Poster in the window of Banks Music Room
Police are still appealling for a man to come forward who was seen walking along Stonebow on the opposite side of the street to Ben.
Police urgently want to speak to the man nearest to the camera
The man is described as being white, was wearing a light coloured jacket with dark trousers and shoes.
He was seen heading towards the Foss Islands Road junction and was also seen taking the same route as Ben as they walked past National Windscreens in Layerthorpe.
National Windscreens, Layerthorpe
Inspector Neil Drummond, of York Safer Neighbourhood Team, said:
“If you could be the man who walked along Layerthorpe at the same time as Ben, I ask you to get in touch with us as soon as possible as I believe you will have noticed Ben walking across the street from you.”
Extensive underwater searches have been carried out of the River Foss between the Iron Bridge, Huntington Road and the Foss Basin but a police spokesperson earlier confirmed that these now been suspended.
River Foss
Ben was heading towards his home in Heworth Green where he lives with his girlfriend Rachel Peatfield, 22, and also originally from Leeds.
They met at Temple Moor High School in Leeds 11 years ago and moved to York to attend York St. John University.
Their home in Heworth Green is a mere half a mile from the house of missing University of York chef, Claudia Lawrence, who has not been seen since March 18 2009.
Claudia Lawrence
One local resident said today:
“It’s just awful. It seems like someone is going missing in York every week these days. I just pray they find him safe and well.”
On the same day Ben was last seen, the body of another missing person, York St. John student Megan Roberts, 20, was pulled from the River Ouse near Acaster Melbis.
Megan Roberts
Anyone who has any information about Ben is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1 and pass the information to the Force Control Room.