EXCLUSIVE

By Hayley Robinson

His presents are wrapped and under the tree and a place will be set at the dinner table.

Now the parents of a missing man are hoping their son will return in time for Christmas.

Pauline and Jim Green’s nightmare began eight months ago when Matthew left to visit a friend in London for the weekend and never came home.

Despite reporting his disappearance to the police, a Facebook group being created and numerous posters being placed at various locations across the UK, the couple are still no closer to finding out what happened to the 26-year-old.

Their one wish is that he will make contact with them or return home to Rock Road, Sittingbourne, on Christmas Day.

Pauline, 57, said: "We are hoping and praying that he walks through that door. We’ll be spending Christmas at home with our son Nathan, his wife Karen, their son Oliver and my mum Mary. We’ve got to carry on."

The self-employed roofer left his mobile phone and is believed to have taken a holdall, his passport, driving licence and some money. However, his passport has not been used and his bank account remains untouched. Jim, 58, said: "That makes us worry more. How’s he living? Because you know yourself you need money to pay your rent and food.

"Last week I was watching a film with Father Christmas and young children writing their wish lists and I thought ‘let me put myself in their place and write a wish for Matt to just come home’."

The couple are constantly checking the faces of those they pass on the street in the hope they will find Matthew. Jim even ran alongside a bus trying to catch a glimpse of a man he believed was Matthew, but it was a case of mistaken identity.

Pauline said: "He’s our son but I don’t even know if I’d recognise him eight-and-a-half months down the line. His hair may be longer, he might have grown a beard and moustache – his appearance could have changed a lot."

Matthew, who has brown eyes, had a shaved head and was of a slim build when he disappeared.

He has a tattoo with the word "Matty" and an Indian squaw underneath it on his upper left arm, and the England Three Lions on his upper right arm.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kent Police on 01622 604167 or Missing People on 0500 700 700.