Michael Whinham was 31yrs old when he went missing on 14 November 2015. He lived in Oakfield Gardens, Benwell. He is 5ft 11in, of slim build with light brown hair and it is not known what he was wearing at the precise time of his disappearance. A missing persons report was filed on 23 November 2015. Michael was immediately classed as high risk because he suffers mental health issues and is on regular prescribed medication. Michael was captured on CCTV leaving Newcastle Crown Court in the quayside area of Newcastle at 12:48hrs. In this footage he was wearing a black hooded jacket with fur trim and what looks like jeans. There is an unconfirmed sighting at North Shields metro station around 17:30hrs. He was then captured on CCTV entering the AMEC derelict shipyard at Hadrian Road in Wallsend at approximately 19:40hrs on the same day. No footage of Michael leaving the shipyard was found on CCTV, so extensive searches of the 80 acre area, including cadaver dogs were carried out. Divers were also called in to search the riverside in the vicinity. After exhausting all possibilities in the area, the search was called off after five days. A note from Paul Whinham (father) “Police did not take Michael’s disappearance seriously initially, to the point it took a month before they released an appeal. Searches didn’t commence until then either, by which time there was no CCTV available as the council only keep it for two weeks. Had the police placed him as a high risk missing person when reported by the mental health team, footage would have still been available. Michael’s housing benefit was cancelled and I have carried on paying the interest on the mortgage so as he would not be homeless if and when he returns. I have had to pay for all the posters and visit places where he has been sighted like Elgin and Edinburgh. The Government should spend more money on rehab centres that would free up court times, police times and empty the prisons which would alternately save money in the long term.” If you have any information to assist the investigation, or you think you have seen Michael, please call Northumbria Police on 101. If you would prefer to remain anonymous please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Alternatively, you can phone or text Missing People charity on their 24/7 helpline on 116 000 quoting reference 16-000652. Missing People: http://www.missingpeople.org.uk/help-us-find/michael-whinham-16-000652 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Michael-Whinham-640984482706061/ #FindMichaelWhinham