Wife of missing Arbroath marine makes 2nd appeal

THE pregnant wife of a missing Royal Marine today issued a second anguished plea to her husband to come home - as it was revealed that she is now expected to give birth to their first child within days.

Sarah Hebden had been expected to be admitted to a local maternity hospital within the next two weeks however Tayside Police said today that the wife of missing Marine Ralph Hebden is now due to give birth before the end of the week, prompting her to issue another heartfelt plea for him to return home.

Marine Hebden, 32, has now been missing for eight days. He vanished after setting out to go for a morning run last Monday near the steep cliffs on the outskirts of the Angus town of Arbroath which is home to the 45 Commando base at RM Condor. The Commando was last seen at a supermarket near the centre of the town and more than a mile from the Marine base.

In a statement, released by Tayside Police, Mrs Hebden said: “Ralph, we are all missing you and are worried about you. Our baby is now due sooner than expected, please come home.”

A Tayside Police spokesman explained: “Sarah’s pregnancy is nearing full-term, with Ralph aware that her due date is in early April. That is no longer the case and while, for personal reasons, his wife doesn’t want to go into further detail, she has issued this emotional appeal.”

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Inspector Ally Robertson, who is leading the massive search for the missing Marine, said: “This is a difficult and stressful time for Sarah as the birth of her child approaches and it is important that she has the people she needs most close with her.

“She is desperately worried about Ralph and needs him here at her side for what should be a joyous occasion for them both.”

He added: “I dearly hope that this appeal reaches Ralph and he gets in touch with his family or with the police to let us all know that he is safe and well.”

Marine Hebden is described as 6ft 4 inches tall, muscular build and with short cropped fair hair. When he was last seen he was wearing black trainers, dark blue or black jogging bottoms, a blue fleece and had a blue rain jacket in his possession.

Police officers are also looking at the possibility that Marine Hebden, originally from Toxteth in Liverpool, may have travelled to the Merseyside area where he has friends and family, and are working closely with Merseyside Police who are assisting with inquiries.