Fresh appeal over disappearance of two boys in 1969

Police have made a new appeal for information over two boys who went missing nearly 60 years ago.

David Leckey, 11, and Jonathan Aven, 14, were last seen when they left their east Belfast homes in September 1969.

The case is being looked at by the Police Service of Northern Ireland's legacy investigation branch.

Det Insp Armstrong said: "More than 50 years have now passed since both David and Jonathan went missing. Their families have suffered over these years not knowing what happened to them on the day they left their home addresses."

David went missing from Memel Street and his family said they had "no indication that he was unhappy or in trouble of any kind and didn't think he would ever have left home" when he went missing.

Jonathan, who went missing from Sydenham Drive, was described by his father as a "happy little boy" who attended Ashfield Boys "which he seemed to like and appeared to be doing well at".

Det Insp Armstrong said: "The pain and suffering of not knowing throughout the years must be unimaginable.

"This remains an open missing persons case with the circumstances around their disappearance still unexplained."

The officer said detectives would "consider all investigative opportunities and follow all lines of enquiry as part of the review and will consider any potential criminal offences that may be linked to their disappearance".

He continued: "Detectives are aware of reports that the boys may have got the train to Bangor prior to their disappearance and would be keen to hear from anyone who may have encountered the boys in any circumstances or location over the past 56 years.

"If anyone has any information in relation to the disappearance of David and Jonathan we would ask them to contact legacy investigation branch."