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Living in Australia? Can you help police in their search for missing Scottish man?

Australian police have issued a formal appeal about Jonathan Ansell, who may be living on the streets in Melbourne.

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POLICE IN MELBOURNE have appealed to the public for help in tracing the whereabouts of a Scottish man, missing for the past two weeks.

Jonathan Ansell last made contact with his family in Glasgow a fortnight ago and has not been heard from since.

The 26-year-old has been living in Australia for the past two years. He told his mother during his last phone call that he was in Melbourne but did not have a place to stay or any money.

He also told her that he had lost his passport.

He was officially reported missing today after a sustained social media campaign led by his family.

He is described as a quietly-spoken man and his family say they believe he may not approach anyone for assistance if he is in trouble.

He speaks with a Scottish accent, has a fair complexion and short light brown/dark blonde hair.

A police statement adds: “While he stated he was last in Melbourne, he may have potentially travelled within Victoria or interstate.”

The missing man’s mother posted the following appeal on 1 June:

My son Jonathan has been travelling in Australia over the past year and I haven’t heard from him since Christmas, until he called me yesterday. Jonathan told me that he has been sleeping rough in Melbourne. He has lost his passport and has no money left, his visa also ran out that the end of April.

I urged him to go to the police or the British embassy, but the call was cut short due to his probable lack of money. I felt that Jonathan’s self-esteem seemed quite low and he may be having problems communicating effectively due to his circumstances.

We reported Jonathan as missing one month ago to the UK authorities, they have informed me that they have passed his details on to the relevant authorities in Australia. We have had no communication from the Australian authorities as yet. I am sending this e-mail in the hope that you may have seen Jonathan, and or able to assist him in getting in touch with myself or the relevant authorities. I know he will be apprehensive in doing so and may need encouragement. He may have grown a beard since being on the streets.

Read: The family of a previously unidentified injured Irishman in Bali have been contacted

More: Canadian recruitment firm apologise for ‘Drunken Paddy’ newspaper ad

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21 Comments
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    Mute Gaz
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    Jun 9th 2014, 2:44 PM

    I work in Melbourne cbd everyday on the street nd shall keep an eye out, who knows I might hopefully come across him

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    Mute Lorraine Tait
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    Jun 9th 2014, 3:58 PM

    This is a human story Brendan. As a Glasgow native living in Ireland, my experience of the Irish, especially those living abroad, have been, if they can help you they will! and there are many Irish living in Melbourne. Hope this chap is found soon safe and well.

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    Mute Paul Carey
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    Jun 9th 2014, 3:26 PM

    Irish and Scottish people share a common ancestry, and both are present in huge numbers in Australia today. Nothing bizaare here Brendan.

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    Mute Brendan Boyd
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    Jun 9th 2014, 3:31 PM

    Ok so it’s a genetic/race thing? We’re only interested in those that have white skin and speak the same language as us.

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    Mute Sargon
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    Jun 9th 2014, 3:48 PM

    Brendan – You are right, but don’t bother strong with people here. They always fail to see the big picture.

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    Mute Karen
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    Jun 9th 2014, 4:18 PM

    Because Irish and Scots tend to flock together when away and some one may remember speaking to him seeing him.

    Hope he is found safe. Thoughts and prayers with him and his family.

    Hope that poor man in Thailand from Australia is located safe as well. Thoughts and prayers with them to.

    Poor familes.

    36
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    Mute Sargon
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    Jun 9th 2014, 4:21 PM

    strong = Arguing

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    Mute Donal Colmen Gallagher
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    Jun 9th 2014, 3:43 PM

    Brendan=plonker indeed!! Hope he is found alive and well.

    46
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    Mute RiobairdOMaingain
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    Jun 9th 2014, 4:54 PM

    Sounds like all the begrudgers bitter about being stuck in Ireland are out in force today picking on some poor unfortunate fella penniless and homeless.

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    Mute Brendan Boyd
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    Jun 9th 2014, 3:48 PM

    An Australian man remains missing in Thailand. This is an appeal to the Irish community there.

    http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/canberra-man-nathan-hansford-missing-in-thailand-20140303-33vrj.html

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    Mute Brendan Boyd
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    Jun 9th 2014, 2:52 PM

    How is this Irish news?

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    Mute Tony Flynn
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    Jun 9th 2014, 3:09 PM

    I think it may have something to do with the large Irish community in Australia, some of whom may read the journal and could potentially help in the search for him. I’m sure you wouldn’t be such a smart ass if it was an appeal for one of your family members on a Scottish site. Stick to trolling thescore.

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    Mute Brendan Boyd
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    Jun 9th 2014, 3:16 PM

    Will they also be expecting national coverage in the home news sites in Greece, India, china etc? I find it a bit bizarre. There’s thousands of people missing every day in the world so I don’t see why this one is highligted in particular.

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    Mute Petr Tarasov
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    Jun 9th 2014, 3:17 PM

    Brendan — Go and get some work done.

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    Mute King Olaf
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    Jun 9th 2014, 3:19 PM

    You are some plonker. Why not highlight something in the off chance one of the members of the large irish community might recognise the man and help him out. Just because bad things happen in other countries is no reason to not to try help out in this case.

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    Mute Paul Conlon
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    Jun 9th 2014, 3:35 PM

    I know if one of my friends or family were missing I’d be delighted for any help anyone or any news site could offer.
    Why would you bother commenting in such a negative manner?
    Stop being an idiot.

    69
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    Mute Brendan Boyd
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    Jun 9th 2014, 3:39 PM

    It;s about editorial control. If we followed this example then 90% of news websites would be taken up with “do you know this person” police messages. But I can see there is close to zero editorial input here. Just luck at the paris love locks duplication.

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    Mute Alicia Cormican
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    Jun 9th 2014, 9:44 PM

    Brendan a mother is searching for her child whom is homeless in a foreign country, if he was your brother son or friend wouldn’t you want as many people as possible to see his photo so that maybe someone somewhere can help?? Being so negative in life won’t get you anywhere!

    21
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    Mute Sinead O'Carroll
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    Jun 10th 2014, 12:21 AM

    Hi Brendan. The appeal has been shared by many of the Irish living in Australia, which is what brought it to our attention. As other commenters have pointed out, there is a large Irish community in Melbourne who remain clued in to news back home – through TJ and other outlets. This is something they have been talking about and are interested in. The headline suggests just that. Thanks, Sinead, News Editor

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    Mute Lynda Thompson
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    Jun 16th 2014, 1:54 PM

    He was found safe and well thank goodness (and Brendan Boyd, I would think that if someone from your family went missing either at home or abroad, that you would be thankful for any help and support regardless where it came from …. or maybe not!)

    http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scots-backpacker-jonathan-ansell-found-3676276

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    Mute Treasa Ni Mhairnan
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    Jun 10th 2014, 2:41 AM

    Try street works a DHS run crowd that be around city Melbourne . Don’t worry There are plenty of places he can eat for free. Lentil as anything works on donation base. Salvation Army have homeless shelters worth a try. Good luck

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