Missing teenager 'seen later with a woman'

Concerns are mounting for Aidan McPherson, 19 - the youngest of a family of ten children - who mysteriously disappeared after leaving a party in the Newmill Road area of Elgin on 31 December. He had last been seen by a friend late in the evening on New Year's Eve.

But yesterday, as the civilian air search service Sky Watch joined in the search, Grampian Police announced that the force was investigating a fresh report that Aidan may have been seen speaking to a woman only 20 minutes before the bells on Hogmanay, and an hour later than the previous sighting.

A spokesman said: "The teenager was seen in conversation with a woman on Newmill Road, near the junction of Calcots Road, at about 11:40pm. Officers would ask that she contact police to assist with the inquiry."

Aidan's desperately worried mother, Aileen, said: "We just hope he'll come through the door. I just feel that he's not in Elgin. I think he must have met with someone and gone somewhere"

Aidan is described as of slight build, about 5ft 5in tall, with short fair hair. He was wearing a green zipped top, blue jeans and white trainers.