Sister’s plea a year after man disappeared
THE devastated sister of a missing man is pleading for information about him a year after he vanished.
Ann Margaret Allan said her family can never rest until they know what happened to Samuel Townsley, last seen in Glasgow city centre.
Police Scotland launched a major search for Samuel, who was last seen on Union Street.
THE heartbroken sister of a man who vanished a year ago has said she can never be at peace until the missing link of her family is found.
Ann Margaret Allan, 33, explained the heartbreak her whole family has endured since her younger brother Samuel Townsley vanished in Glasgow city centre on October 19, last year.
The much-loved sibling has changed his family’s life forever since he disappeared, with his sister Christine Townsley, 30, and younger brother Alan Sutherland, 22, also struggling to come to terms with not knowing where he is.
Ann Margaret, who affectionately refers to her brother as Sammy, said: “We have literally been everywhere emotionally that you can go. It is a really common phrase and it is overused but it really has been like a rollercoaster.
“I am personally at the stage now where you get through the days, and try and smile. And then you go to bed at night and you can’t get to sleep thinking everything. There is not a thought I haven’t thought.
“It is hard to have a night without a dream about him. It is never the ones you want. It is a never a good dream. It is always a nightmare.”
She added: “He is the missing link out of our family. We will never be at peace until he is found.”
Police Scotland launched a major search operation for Samuel who was last seen by officers who were carrying out a routine check on Union Street on the day he went missing.
Ann Margaret, who lives in Falkirk, explained that a barber on the busy street alerted the police to Samuel because he looked vulnerable.
She believes that his appearance on the day he vanished could resonate with Christmas shoppers.
She said: “Someone in the barbers in Union Street said they called the police because Sammy asked to use the bathroom and they were really concerned about him.
“It was a really cold day and he was wearing trainers with no socks and shorts. It just wasn’t appropriate for the weather at that time of year.”
She added: “He just looked so vulnerable and that broke my heart when I heard that.
“You have no idea how unusual that was for him. He has never in his entire life liked to be cold.
“He used to wear a couple of jumpers and three pairs of socks.
“I don’t know if that speaks to what situation he was in that very day. Was there a situation going on where he had to grab clothes quick and go or was there something going on in his own mental state? I don’t know the answer.”
The family have also ruled out the possibility that Samuel has left the country with most searches concentrated across Scotland.
ANN MARGARET said: “In the beginning after he was missing for a couple of months, I did think that he may have went abroad. Someone had even said they thought they saw someone like him on an aeroplane. “But that was looked at and his passport was never renewed from when he was a child. He had no legal way of leaving the country at all.”
She added: “Police have been in all places in which Sammy has ever been at any stage in his life.
“There is no evidence that he is alive and well, which is absolutely heartbreaking.”
Samuel, who was 28 when he vanished, is well-known in Scotland’s traveller community. He often slept rough and has no fixed address although he had been living in Clydebank as recently as last summer.
His father William first reported him missing to Ayrshire police and since then each member of the family have taken turns to keep his name and face in the spotlight.
Ann Margaret said: “Sammy if you are reading this, please with all my heart, brother I l ove
you so much, just come home.
“We are completely aware of how hard things have been for you but I need you in my life, everybody needs you.”
The family plans to hand out flyers with Samuel’s details in Glasgow when the one year anniversary falls on Thursday.
They have also praised the Missing People Scotland group for their efforts in keeping their brother’s name in the spotlight.
Ann Margaret said: “I owe a great debt of gratitude to Missing People Scotland as they have been so supportive.”
Samuel is described as white, 5ft 2in tall with a stocky build and has short brown hair.
Anyone with information over the whereabouts of Samuel should contact Police Scotland through 101.