Mystery man helps police searching for missing mum

THE mystery man photographed dancing in a nightclub with a missing mother of three was yesterday said to be "assisting" detectives with their enquiries after being identified through a media appeal.

The man was traced by Tayside Police after the force issued a photograph, taken inside Dundee's Fat Sam's nightclub, showing Mary McLaren with her arms around a man on the night she vanished 12 days ago.

Mrs McLaren, 34, of Rowantree Crescent, Dundee, has not been seen since the early hours of Thursday, 25 February, when she left the nightclub in the company of the man she had danced with.

The last confirmed sighting of Mrs McLaren was with the same man in Marketgait East, at about 3am.

Detective Chief Inspector Shaun McKillop, who is heading the investigation, said: "We have now identified the man who was seen with Mary in Fat Sam's nightclub on the night of 24 February. He is currently assisting us with our inquiries."

He added: "Concern for Mary's safety is growing, and her family are deeply distressed."