The heartbroken mother of a missing Fife man has said that her life has been “pure hell” almost a year after her son disappeared.
Sandy Clarke has not been seen since leaving the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy during the early hours of June 4.
Despite high-profile public appeals and an extensive police investigation, no trace of the now 38-year-old has ever been found.
As the first anniversary of her son’s disappearance approaches, his mother Marilyn has made an emotional appeal to her son to make contact if he is still alive.
Asked if she had any message for her son, Mrs Clarke said: “Please get in contact. Let us know that you are safe and well. That is all that we want to know.
“The whole family and his sister Michelle are concerned about him. A year has been a very long time.”
A major missing person inquiry was launched by Police Scotland upon Mr Clarke’s disappearance last year.
Intensive searches have been conducted throughout the Kirkcaldy area and beyond, but there remains no clue as to Mr Clarke’s whereabouts.
Upon leaving the Victoria Hospital he was carrying two large Sports Direct bags and was last seen walking east along Hayfield Road.
He is described by police as 5ft 10in tall, with slim or average build, short slightly receding brown hair and brown/green eyes.
He has tattoos on both arms and a tattoo on his neck of a girl’s name.
Asked what the past 12 months have been like for her, Mrs Clarke said: “It has been pure hell to be honest. You can never stop thinking about it.
“I was off work for three months because I couldn’t cope with it all. We just need some closure.
“The police have been keeping in contact with us.
“They send officers to visit us and phone us to let us know what is going on. But there is no information, no intelligence at the moment.”
When asked what she thought may have happened to her son, Mrs Clarke added: “In my mind I would like to think that he is still alive and well. That is my hope.
“It is hard but we have to carry on as best as we can.”
Police Scotland’s Inspector Alan Seath, who is based in Kirkcaldy, said that efforts to trace Mr Clarke were ongoing and called on members of the public to offer any help they could.
He said: “All lines of enquiry regarding homeless accommodations, missing persons organisations and charities have been exhausted, as has information provided by the public.
“Our thoughts are with the family of Sandy at this time and we will continue to interact with them to ensure they are aware of our efforts and of any developments.
“We continue to appeal to anyone who may have information regarding the whereabouts of Sandy to come forward and contact Police Scotland on 101 or, alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”