New appeal over missing Portrush man Dean Patton

On Monday, police renewed their appeal for information following a possible sighting of Dean in the Botanic Gardens area of Belfast on Tuesday, August 4.

Dean was last seen on the evening of Wednesday 25 July 2012, close to the Eglinton Hotel in Portrush. He was 24 years old when he went missing.

Detective Inspector Soren Stewart said: “It is now just over three years since Dean went missing.

“This period has been understandably tough for his family and friends.

“We have discussed this new information with Dean’s family and further help from the public would greatly assist us in our efforts to verify the sighting.

“Dean is described as around 6ft tall, with dark hair and a tanned complexion. A man fitting that description was said to have been wearing a black coat, black jeans and trainers on Tuesday 4 August.

“He was also described as having facial hair when the sighting was reported to us at around 3pm.

“If you saw a person fitting Dean’s description either in Botanic Gardens or indeed anywhere else in recent times, please contact detectives in Coleraine Police Station on the non-emergency number 101. Or, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555