22 September 2023 , 20:02
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A beloved grandad who was missing for over a week and left his family "broken" has been found sipping a pint in a Wetherspoons pub.
Ronald Webster, 81, left his home in Oldham, Greater Manchester, on Thursday afternoon last week and was then seen catching a bus to Huddersfield. He was then missing for more than a week and his family became worried as he did not have his medication and phone with him, but just the clothes he was wearing.
His disappearance sparked a massive search, but the police and Ronald's family confirmed he was today found safe and well, having a pint in a pub in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester. His worried granddaughter joked: "He's absolutely fine he was just scared of going back to my gran I think! He knows he's in trouble!!"
The police's appeal following Ronald's disappearance (Greater Manchester Police)The pensioner was reported missing to Greater Manchester Police on Thursday, September 14. In their initial appeal, Greater Manchester Police said he was last seen on Walkers Road in Oldham at around 1.05pm.
In a further updated appeal on Monday, September 18, the police issued some more information saying he was last seen at 2.15pm on the 184 bus heading towards Huddersfield. They also shared a CCTV image of Ronald.
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The national search involved multiple police forces as well as other agencies trying to locate the granddad. It has been a torturous week for Ronnie's family who said: "He has no reason to have just upped and left, the date has no significance and he has no friends or relatives that he is trying to get to.
"We are all worried sick, we just want to know he's safe and well. It's out of character for him to leave and not come home. His coat isn't very thick and it doesn't have a hood. His wife, my grandma, is heartbroken. She hasn't slept since he left, she just wants her husband home safe."
Now, eight days after he walked out of his front door and didn't return, Ronald Webster has been found alive and well by Greater Manchester Police. Ronald's granddaughter, Paige Tattersall, posted to Facebook: "They have found him!!!! Will update properly soon but he's coming home!"
Paige expressed her relief as she told Yorkshire Live: "He was in bloody Wetherspoons in Manchester drinking a pint [before] coming home. He got the train from Huddersfield to Scarborough to Bridlington like we thought." Paige added: "We are absolutely elated. To get that phone call that they have found him safe and well will never ever be compared. And then to be able to reunite him with grandma. We can all sleep tonight knowing he's home safe where he belongs."
Senior Investigating Officer - Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Walker, of GMP’s Oldham district, said: "This is the result we are always hoping for when we open investigations into missing persons. We are all relieved that Ronald is safe and well and that he has been reunited with his loved ones, who were understandably incredibly concerned.
"We are really thankful to the members of the public who shared our appeal, and partner agencies who assisted us with our enquiries. My particular thanks goes to Constance Dane Hullett, who has worked tirelessly since the call came in that Ronald was missing, in investigating different lines of enquiry and for dedicating long days to trying to find him. It is a testament to Operation Vulcan that, on their first official day in Piccadilly Gardens, they have been noticed by members of the public – enabling them to help us to bring this investigation to the best conclusion."