The mother of a sailor who mysteriously disappeared in Dubai a decade ago said she knows he is dead and vital witnesses have not told the truth.
Sheena MacColl, 58, has made a new plea for information surrounding the vanishing of her son Timmy, 27, in 2012.
The leading seaman was on shore leave in the city when Navy chiefs claim he accidentally fell in the water and drowned.
But Sheena said: “I believe there are people out there who knew Timmy who are holding back information.
“I do not believe he fell in the water… he would have been found by now.
“Someone knows something but has not come forward for whatever reason.
“Timmy would not have put me through this if he was still alive. I’d appeal to anyone who has information to come forward.”
Timmy, of Killin, Stirlingshire, was last seen getting into a taxi outside Dubai’s Rock Bottom Cafe at 1.40am on May 27, 2012.
He was heading for his ship, the HMS Westminster, which was berthed in nearby Port Rashid. But what became of dad-of-three Timmy remains a mystery.
A Bangladeshi cab driver who had driven him from Rock Bottom was traced by police. He claimed to have stopped for directions to his ship but when he returned to his vehicle Timmy was no longer there.
One theory is that Timmy headed back into Dubai in another taxi.
Sheena added: “A search of the harbour by expert Navy divers failed to find his body. I don’t think he fell in as most of the area was fenced off and there was safety netting round his ship. It is very possible he went back into town.
"However, there is no proof he went back to Port Rashid. The only evidence is the taxi driver.”
Sheena, a shop assistant, said both the Dubai police and the Royal Navy could have done more to find her son. Four days after he vanished, his ship set sail on a new mission.
The following month Sheena, her brother Colin and Timmy’s wife Rachael went to Dubai to meet police and Navy officials. But they left knowing little more than when they arrived.
Sheena will mark the 10th anniversary by lighting a candle in her garden.
In April 2014 the sailor was officially declared dead by the Royal Navy.
A Royal Navy spokesperson said: “There was a full investigation… as well as a number of appeals. Sadly, no new evidence has come to light. We understand how distressing this must be for Timothy’s family and friends.”
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here .
