Dead man 'not seen for months'

DETECTIVES investigating the "unexplained" death of a father-of-three revealed yesterday that his body may have lain undiscovered on a river bank for three months.

A body, believed to be that of Norman Choate, 62, from Banff, was found on 8 September by a member of the public on the banks of the River Deveron, near Macduff Distillery.

But Grampian Police yesterday said Mr Choate had not been seen since the beginning of June. And the force has launched an appeal for information in a bid to trace his final movements.

Detective Inspector Neil Cameron, who is heading the investigation, said: "The river bank beside the distillery is very arduous terrain and it is not an area that would be popular with dog walkers or joggers or anyone just out enjoying the countryside. So there is a possibility that Mr Choate has lain there for some time."

He continued: "We are keen to fill in the gaps between the last sighting of Norman and the discovery of his body. Anyone who may have talked to him or come into contact with him should pick up the phone and speak to us."

Mr Choate, who was unemployed and a diabetic, is understood to have been divorced.