Murder fear over missing man

Fauldhouse, where Mr McKendrick lived

A 21-year-old man missing for a month could have been murdered, police said.

Thomas McKendrick, of Fauldhouse, West Lothian was last seen on 11 December.

Lothian and Borders Police said on Wednesday that a bag of clothes belonging to Mr McKendrick was found in the area where he lived.

It also emerged that Mr McKendrick has not collected his benefits cheque for weeks.

MISSING MAN

It really is very unusual for him to disappear like this.

Police spokesman

A police spokesman said it was out of character for the man, who is unemployed, to not contact his family over the festive period.

More than 20 officers are working on the inquiry and an incident room has been set up at Bathgate Police Station.

The spokesman said: "The discovery of Thomas' clothes now leads us to believe he may have come to harm or been the victim of a criminal act.

"The fact that he has not been in touch with his family over the Christmas or New Year period is totally out of character and is a concern."

Officers believe the answer to Mr McKendrick's disappearance lies in Fauldhouse and an appeal has been made to local people.

'No money'

Door-to-door enquiries have led police to believe he was last seen on 11 December with a man only known as Andy from Whitburn.

The spokesman said: "It really is very unusual for him to disappear like this. He has not collected his Giro for weeks and will have no money.

Mr McKendrick is 5ft 11ins, broad with blue eyes and a fair complexion.

He has a shaved head with a scar on his left arm. It is believed he was wearing blue jeans and black boots.

The keen ferreter was known to visit an area near Breich called Levenseat, an old disused quarry.