United Kingdom ANDREW GOSDEN: Missing from London, England, UK - 14 Sept 2007 - Age 14 *ARREST*

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Andrew Gosden (born 10 July 1993)[1] disappeared from Central London on 14 September 2007 when he was aged 14. On that day, Gosden left his home in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, withdrew £200 from his bank account and bought a one-way ticket to London from Doncaster station.[2] He was last seen on CCTV leaving King's Cross station. Despite numerous national appeals for information in the years following his disappearance, Gosden's reason for travelling to London that day and his subsequent fate have never been established.

Andrew has been missing from his home in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, since 14 September 2007. He was last seen on CCTV footage at King's Cross Station in London later that morning. When Andrew went missing he was 5ft 3in tall, slim with light brown hair and brown eyes. He needs strong prescription glasses. He was last seen wearing black jeans and T-shirt.

Andrew was last seen at 8-30am as he was heading down Littlemoor Lane, Balby, Doncaster towards Westfield Park. Andrew returned from school after his parents had gone to work, and changed out of his uniform. He emptied his bank account – taking around £200 – and without leaving a note went to Doncaster station and bought a one-way ticket to London King’s Cross (refusing a return even though the cost was about the same).

It is thought that he boarded a train at Doncaster Railway Station at 9-35am on the day he went missing arriving at London Kings Cross Station at 11-20am. South Yorkshire Police released CCTV footage from Kings Cross Station on 14 September 07, the day he went missing, there are no confirmed sightings after this one.


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MEDIA - ANDREW GOSDEN: Missing from London, England, UK - 14 Sept 2007 - Age 14 *ARREST*
 
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Well, I haven't read anything about subsequent arrests and I'll eventually read about it but right now, I'm trying to imagine why he took his Playstation.
Info is that the charger was still in the home and so apparently, he either forgot it or for some reason, didn't think it was necessary but I can't wrap my head around why he took the Playstaion in the first place.
Many have friends they have met through their gaming systems, so possibly to be able to contact somebody. Power supplies are easy to come by.
 
Well, I haven't read anything about subsequent arrests and I'll eventually read about it but right now, I'm trying to imagine why he took his Playstation.
Info is that the charger was still in the home and so apparently, he either forgot it or for some reason, didn't think it was necessary but I can't wrap my head around why he took the Playstaion in the first place.
Imo the Playstation fits what I said above. He was probably playing games with others online, made friends with who he thought to be another kid and it was some adult creep. He probably was invited to come play at his house or something and either told to bring his Play Station or decided to. However, who the person really was had sinister intent and they are usually pedos, etc.

The money was probably for transport and he probably thought he might stay two days, maybe more and so figured he'd get a return ticket later. OR this was to be just one leg of a trip and he was to go to this "kid's" home and then they were going somewhere from there but I don't think that is as likely.

I watch this one cooking show where the mom, dad, and both children go to these Pokemon tournaments or events. I find that part a bit ridiculous and think the let the kids game far too much but like the cooking content, etc.

Is there anything like that over there and was there back when. The money could have been to go to such a thing or what he was told would be what they were going to go do.

It just seems to me like he met someone on the internet as most likely. My guesses could vary on that same beginning basis. What is the child driving age in England? Here it is 16. That's another possibility, the other "kid" said he'd drive them to some tournament once he came to his house. And the tournament thing is just a wild guess, or throwing something out there. I think maybe it was just to go stay and game together or something.

The reasons for not asking or telling his folks would be of course he'd be told no. Probably not supposed to be playing online or talking to strangers (maybe) and definitely not meeting up with one he was likely convinced was a friend and nice guy, nor traveling and taking his money out to do such a thing.

I don't know. It's just a guess or what seems most likely to me is it stems from gaming, or internet connecting.

Or maybe this trip was solely his idea although I favor the above. Maybe he was going to hock, pawn or trade the Playstation. Did he have the newest and best for instance? Took some more money with to get something bigger, better, etc. This imo is far less likely but just throwing something else out there.

I'm not seeing taking the Playstation or money out of his account but not the money from home as that odd with my main or first scenario. And it would seem to make me think he was not leaving for good nor thinking he would not be back. Maybe he only even planned or thought it would be a day trip and he'd come up with some cover story for his folks if it became necessary.

I don't know and would have to refresh more than I did but based on the bit I did, that's where I'm at with it.

If what my guess is is NOT likely as you are more up on the facts than I am, let me know.

As far as the men, yeah, there have been no rearrests but it remains pretty significant to me they could be arrested so quickly and remain in jail so long if they didn't have some ample evidence against them. Then something must have went awry how long in and they released them and had to drop the charges.

Is it POSSIBLE they finally gave up a bigger head of the sex trafficking ring or something on that order and made a deal...? Maybe they were like just the snatchers... Or online presence that started out for them...

Maybe a reach but maybe they were even sent back out to help catch a bigger fish/es and Andrew of course was not the only one of probably many children...

If I'm way off because some facts I've forgotten about would make any of the above impossible, let me know.

He's 14 and probably being played by adults and of course he doesn't know that. Most likely. Again parts could vary totally. Maybe he had dreams of leaving and some adult dangled some awesome life for him, becoming a gaming entrepreneur or tech and they'd hire him at 14 and pay him bucco bucks. I mean this sh*t is real as to what they do to and play kids with, and it was very real in 2007. You know like the girls mostly being told they could be a model and there's auditions... They reach for their dreams or dangle a dream in front of them and make it their dream.

Do you think I am way off?
 
It's occurred to me that he may have taken it for just something to do on the train.
Yeah I thought of that too. Charged and without a cord?

Definitely crossed my mind but I still think he met someone somehow through the internet and/or gaming. Not calling it fact, we don't know enough but then we do know two were arrested for trafficking, etc. I mean he's 14, how else did he meet them or end up connected with them, in a park or something? Or they were just happenstance when he happened to leave home with not telling his parents and he just ran into random bad dudeson a rare day he decided to run away for the day and withdraw money, etc.? I think that's unlikely. Jmo though.
 
Imo the Playstation fits what I said above. He was probably playing games with others online, made friends with who he thought to be another kid and it was some adult creep. He probably was invited to come play at his house or something and either told to bring his Play Station or decided to. However, who the person really was had sinister intent and they are usually pedos, etc.

The money was probably for transport and he probably thought he might stay two days, maybe more and so figured he'd get a return ticket later. OR this was to be just one leg of a trip and he was to go to this "kid's" home and then they were going somewhere from there but I don't think that is as likely.

I watch this one cooking show where the mom, dad, and both children go to these Pokemon tournaments or events. I find that part a bit ridiculous and think the let the kids game far too much but like the cooking content, etc.

Is there anything like that over there and was there back when. The money could have been to go to such a thing or what he was told would be what they were going to go do.

It just seems to me like he met someone on the internet as most likely. My guesses could vary on that same beginning basis. What is the child driving age in England? Here it is 16. That's another possibility, the other "kid" said he'd drive them to some tournament once he came to his house. And the tournament thing is just a wild guess, or throwing something out there. I think maybe it was just to go stay and game together or something.

The reasons for not asking or telling his folks would be of course he'd be told no. Probably not supposed to be playing online or talking to strangers (maybe) and definitely not meeting up with one he was likely convinced was a friend and nice guy, nor traveling and taking his money out to do such a thing.

I don't know. It's just a guess or what seems most likely to me is it stems from gaming, or internet connecting.

Or maybe this trip was solely his idea although I favor the above. Maybe he was going to hock, pawn or trade the Playstation. Did he have the newest and best for instance? Took some more money with to get something bigger, better, etc. This imo is far less likely but just throwing something else out there.

I'm not seeing taking the Playstation or money out of his account but not the money from home as that odd with my main or first scenario. And it would seem to make me think he was not leaving for good nor thinking he would not be back. Maybe he only even planned or thought it would be a day trip and he'd come up with some cover story for his folks if it became necessary.

I don't know and would have to refresh more than I did but based on the bit I did, that's where I'm at with it.

If what my guess is is NOT likely as you are more up on the facts than I am, let me know.

As far as the men, yeah, there have been no rearrests but it remains pretty significant to me they could be arrested so quickly and remain in jail so long if they didn't have some ample evidence against them. Then something must have went awry how long in and they released them and had to drop the charges.

Is it POSSIBLE they finally gave up a bigger head of the sex trafficking ring or something on that order and made a deal...? Maybe they were like just the snatchers... Or online presence that started out for them...

Maybe a reach but maybe they were even sent back out to help catch a bigger fish/es and Andrew of course was not the only one of probably many children...

If I'm way off because some facts I've forgotten about would make any of the above impossible, let me know.

He's 14 and probably being played by adults and of course he doesn't know that. Most likely. Again parts could vary totally. Maybe he had dreams of leaving and some adult dangled some awesome life for him, becoming a gaming entrepreneur or tech and they'd hire him at 14 and pay him bucco bucks. I mean this sh*t is real as to what they do to and play kids with, and it was very real in 2007. You know like the girls mostly being told they could be a model and there's auditions... They reach for their dreams or dangle a dream in front of them and make it their dream.

Do you think I am way off?
Well, I think he could have been kidnapped or lured at some point after King's Station but it doesn't appear to me that he was lured from home.
 
not without a power supply or screen to be able to hook up to
Well there's info that a train witness said he was playing something on the train but if that isn't true or impossible, then I still can't wrap my head around why he took the PlayStation with him.
 
Well, I think he could have been kidnapped or lured at some point after King's Station but it doesn't appear to me that he was lured from home.
I like that you discuss cases.

I do agree with that, since the last known that we know of anyhow is from that point. Once in my life my sister and I about 11 and 12 were put on a Greyhound and my parents were diligent and we were put on it from them to the last minute and on the other end our older sister was meeting us. Broad daylight, just a two hour trip. She worked downtown Mpls. and despite her best efforts, my sister and I clearly not city people were on our own in this crowded bus station for a few minutes and I will never forget my impression of the weird people and vibes looking at two young girls. Naivete for sure. She showed up within a few minutes but man and I was the older of us two, and even though broad daylight, I thought where are you older sister, and don't MOVE one step or outside. I'm not exaggerating. He'd have been a sitting duck at 14 and alone and this was way back WHEN. She showed up within minutes and she had never traveled there by bus in her life and she was I think shocked and hustled us out of there and within blocks we were within what felt far safer.

A few days later we met what I am sure was a pimp in Woolworth's. And then there was a gun pulled at the bus stop. Don't think this was bad area, because she worked big time corporate huge law firm but the bad people hang around such too and they certainly hang at bus stations, train stations, etc. As I recall it, there was not a soul my sister and I could have turned to, the place was full of odd people and I am sure the clerks gave a sh*t or the drivers. I don't even recall being able to see the ticket booth for the probably pimps and weirdos and transients hanging in there. This would have been the 70s and in the Midwest.

Of course I never lived in London but any bigger city and fast forward how many years, and between his picture and his age, yes, he'd have been vulnerable if he was lured at all out of that station. Imo. Again, I am not up on this one much but did look back at least to the beginning two posts last night.

So IF someone lured him from there, and who was not part of any plan, and it was just where they hung out to find kids to traffic for instance, at the bus station, then he still was headed somewhere that day. With money. Etc. That is a bit more coincidence but possible I guess. I don't go much with coincidences but I know what even met on both ends being in a bus station can be like, etc. I can tell you a far worse story from a woman I met years ago and how she was sent a long ways, longer trip at the age of 9 on a Greyhound for instance.

I can tell you I felt like my sister and I were surrounded by vultures and I just knew if we left that station, it would be bad. And even in it if some had actually grabbed or attacked, my instinct at 12 I think it was is that no one would have stopped it or done a thing. Again she was there within minutes thank God, we were early by a bit and we were seen to at both ends or planned to be.

It can only be worse these days imo and in bigger metropolises. And I agree that from what we know his last sighting was there. Yet he was still headed somewhere and withdrew money so there was some other plan if that's the case. The very people that may have lured him knew to find him there as he'd get a ticket there? You said you don't think he was lured from home but do you mean he could not have been via internet, etc. to go on some day trip and so on? I don't think anyone in person at his door lured him, I agree with that.

Again, I enjoy that you discuss cases although we don't always have the same take on each one, at least you engage in discussion and give attention to those you have interest in and do it in just good debate at most. I'm interested in your take. In not only this one but a few others. Have you followed all the more recent stuff on Madeline Soto?
 
Well there's info that a train witness said he was playing something on the train but if that isn't true or impossible, then I still can't wrap my head around why he took the PlayStation with him.
He would need the playstation to be able to contact anybody he has chatted with on it or to be able to play where ever he was going. One of mine takes their system with them when they go out of town to visit one of their friends they met on it so they can play together and I know many others that do,t too. I am sure they are far from the only ones that do that so it doesn't seem odd to me at all with him taking it. They do it all the time and nearly everywhere they travel, but I am sure he wasn't playing it on the train. He most likely was playing a hand held system or even a tablet or phone on the train.
 
He would need the playstation to be able to contact anybody he has chatted with on it or to be able to play where ever he was going. One of mine takes their system with them when they go out of town to visit one of their friends they met on it so they can play together and I know many others that do,t too. I am sure they are far from the only ones that do that so it doesn't seem odd to me at all with him taking it. They do it all the time and nearly everywhere they travel, but I am sure he wasn't playing it on the train. He most likely was playing a hand held system or even a tablet or phone on the train.
I think all these things are likely too. Was the Playstation the handheld portable? At first I was thinking of a bigger home type console.

I even looked it up and believe it or not, I do do some of that on cases at times lol and find they can be either. What was it in this case? Handheld I am assuming?

I really think this relates to gaming and bad people and internet.

Why are you sure he wasn't playing it on the train, are you thinking like I was, that it was a console? That's what I'm asking was this the portable handheld which would need a charge before taking anywhere to be able to use...

My point is a Playstaton can be a Portable/hand held. I was not sure of that and so looked it up.

On the other hand if he had a tablet or phone, wouldn't they have more info from pings, etc. to find him than his last know sighting, unless of course such went dead...
 
I like that you discuss cases.

I do agree with that, since the last known that we know of anyhow is from that point. Once in my life my sister and I about 11 and 12 were put on a Greyhound and my parents were diligent and we were put on it from them to the last minute and on the other end our older sister was meeting us. Broad daylight, just a two hour trip. She worked downtown Mpls. and despite her best efforts, my sister and I clearly not city people were on our own in this crowded bus station for a few minutes and I will never forget my impression of the weird people and vibes looking at two young girls. Naivete for sure. She showed up within a few minutes but man and I was the older of us two, and even though broad daylight, I thought where are you older sister, and don't MOVE one step or outside. I'm not exaggerating. He'd have been a sitting duck at 14 and alone and this was way back WHEN. She showed up within minutes and she had never traveled there by bus in her life and she was I think shocked and hustled us out of there and within blocks we were within what felt far safer.

A few days later we met what I am sure was a pimp in Woolworth's. And then there was a gun pulled at the bus stop. Don't think this was bad area, because she worked big time corporate huge law firm but the bad people hang around such too and they certainly hang at bus stations, train stations, etc. As I recall it, there was not a soul my sister and I could have turned to, the place was full of odd people and I am sure the clerks gave a sh*t or the drivers. I don't even recall being able to see the ticket booth for the probably pimps and weirdos and transients hanging in there. This would have been the 70s and in the Midwest.

Of course I never lived in London but any bigger city and fast forward how many years, and between his picture and his age, yes, he'd have been vulnerable if he was lured at all out of that station. Imo. Again, I am not up on this one much but did look back at least to the beginning two posts last night.

So IF someone lured him from there, and who was not part of any plan, and it was just where they hung out to find kids to traffic for instance, at the bus station, then he still was headed somewhere that day. With money. Etc. That is a bit more coincidence but possible I guess. I don't go much with coincidences but I know what even met on both ends being in a bus station can be like, etc. I can tell you a far worse story from a woman I met years ago and how she was sent a long ways, longer trip at the age of 9 on a Greyhound for instance.

I can tell you I felt like my sister and I were surrounded by vultures and I just knew if we left that station, it would be bad. And even in it if some had actually grabbed or attacked, my instinct at 12 I think it was is that no one would have stopped it or done a thing. Again she was there within minutes thank God, we were early by a bit and we were seen to at both ends or planned to be.

It can only be worse these days imo and in bigger metropolises. And I agree that from what we know his last sighting was there. Yet he was still headed somewhere and withdrew money so there was some other plan if that's the case. The very people that may have lured him knew to find him there as he'd get a ticket there? You said you don't think he was lured from home but do you mean he could not have been via internet, etc. to go on some day trip and so on? I don't think anyone in person at his door lured him, I agree with that.

Again, I enjoy that you discuss cases although we don't always have the same take on each one, at least you engage in discussion and give attention to those you have interest in and do it in just good debate at most. I'm interested in your take. In not only this one but a few others. Have you followed all the more recent stuff on Madeline Soto?
First, thank you so much for making me feel welcome- you always have and let me tell you, it means more to me than you know.
Indeed, we disagree- and I'm not sure whether it's more often than not, lol!- but it doesn't matter because it's a two-way street. (I think you know what I mean.)
Anyway, thank you for engaging me.

You told that story so vividly, I felt uneasy just reading it!
Yeah, my impression of bus stations is that they're a sketchy place you don't want to be longer than necessary.
You know, some things never change.

Back to the case, I'm wondering whether Andrew traveled to London- or anywhere else- alone before, with (or without) anyone's knowledge.
And that about him walking home from school twice (that's how I take it) rather than ride the bus is so odd to me that I'd like to know more about that, I mean, first of all, what did he say was his reason? I've listened to one podcast re the case and Andrew's father was a guest but I don't think that particular circumstance was even mentioned.
 
First, thank you so much for making me feel welcome- you always have and let me tell you, it means more to me than you know.
Indeed, we disagree- and I'm not sure whether it's more often than not, lol!- but it doesn't matter because it's a two-way street. (I think you know what I mean.)
Anyway, thank you for engaging me.

You told that story so vividly, I felt uneasy just reading it!
Yeah, my impression of bus stations is that they're a sketchy place you don't want to be longer than necessary.
You know, some things never change.

Back to the case, I'm wondering whether Andrew traveled to London- or anywhere else- alone before, with (or without) anyone's knowledge.
And that about him walking home from school twice (that's how I take it) rather than ride the bus is so odd to me that I'd like to know more about that, I mean, first of all, what did he say was his reason? I've listened to one podcast re the case and Andrew's father was a guest but I don't think that particular circumstance was even mentioned.
I will just never forget it. I felt like wolves were there at the bus station and my instinct was scared and to flee but something also told me don't leave the building. My sister was to get us on her lunch hour and she did but again we were early. Neither she nor my family/parents would have had a clue as to how it would be or how it felt. Like I said, naivete. It was a solid plan with in no way my parents, sister, etc. feeling it was not covered.

However, we weren't big city types and ever took a bus nor had my parents or sister.

I am glad you feel welcomed by me. I can have my opinions but I very much enjoy our discussions and the fact you will discuss cases.

I of course can't speak to London or that bus station or how often he traveled on is own anywhere, maybe it was not even unusual if parents were working for him to do such or hide the fact or not.

I haven't been into this one routinely and never seen a podcast on it like with his father. Id' be interested in that.

Not that it relates necessarily but to go back to my memory and it stands out as it was THAT scary, at least to me at that age, I wanted to grab my 11 year old sister's hand and flee the place but I also fought that because my brain was going do not leave this building... Do NOT do it. I doubt we were there five minutes tops before my sister came rushing in.

Like I said I have a story from another woman that is something else.

Always the times are behind each generation on what the next goes through imo. Nowadays maybe worse with the internet and how fast parents can't keep up or even know of the new apps and vultures that prey on kids.

I don't know what happened to him but I'd guess as I said it stemmed from gaming, internet, whatever the plan was or who it was...

As far as walking home, my first thought is he was being picked on on the bus. A great place for bullying again also with drivers that turn a blind eye often.

Or was he heading somewhere on the way home first? Is that what you're thinking? Interested in your thoughts on it.

And as I said, I do enjoy engaging and discussing too!
 
First, thank you so much for making me feel welcome- you always have and let me tell you, it means more to me than you know.
Indeed, we disagree- and I'm not sure whether it's more often than not, lol!- but it doesn't matter because it's a two-way street. (I think you know what I mean.)
Anyway, thank you for engaging me.

You told that story so vividly, I felt uneasy just reading it!
Yeah, my impression of bus stations is that they're a sketchy place you don't want to be longer than necessary.
You know, some things never change.

Back to the case, I'm wondering whether Andrew traveled to London- or anywhere else- alone before, with (or without) anyone's knowledge.
And that about him walking home from school twice (that's how I take it) rather than ride the bus is so odd to me that I'd like to know more about that, I mean, first of all, what did he say was his reason? I've listened to one podcast re the case and Andrew's father was a guest but I don't think that particular circumstance was even mentioned.
Walking home doesn't strike me as odd because we often walked instead of catching the bus. My kids did the same.
 
Walking home doesn't strike me as odd because we often walked instead of catching the bus. My kids did the same.
NY friends and I didn't like our bus driver so we often walked. My kids liked to so they could stop by the convenience store on their way home.
 
Walking home doesn't strike me as odd because we often walked instead of catching the bus. My kids did the same.
NY friends and I didn't like our bus driver so we often walked. My kids liked to so they could stop by the convenience store on their way home.
True and my sister and I even got on another bus that we knew went down our county road due to the driver and some brats on the bus and friends were on the other bus but it was not our assigned bus. I was rural so never walked home other than in like first grade down the field line for maybe less than 1/4 mile as if I had rode the bus to where it stopped at our home it would have been an hour or more later as the bus turned on a road just a like I said 1/4 mile tops before our house and went miles up and around and out of the way before it got to our house and stopped, making us like the last drop. First was in high school, second was grade school.

It doesn't mean, however, Andrew didn't have a different reason. And if it was never typical prior too. Also I guess I don't know offhand how far he lived from school, and if this was something that should have even been allowed and it isn't the US and when I'm talking it was way back and not in the 2000s.

I'd only say that when a child goes missing, anything they have done or any deviation from the norm would be something to be considered or looked at. It could be significant or may not be at all.

Was he walking on those occasions to stop off somewhere else unknown? Or to escape problems on the bus? Or was this not unusual for him?

We are in a day and age and have been for many years where MOST kids are now driving to school and picked up at school. I actually wait for the bus system to not even be viable any longer. It is a sheer waste of budget. NOT that there aren't always a few kids who can't be chauffered to school but that's what goes on with most. I worked and was a divorced single mom and my kids both took the bus and at other times when my job of 20 years allowed me to, I was able to drop them off and pick them up and that was before the year of 2000 and it was already fairly common for many not to ride the bus. And we lived in town but on the other side of it from the school. Quite a walk it would have been.

I don't know all the details but would have to know more to know whether his walking was notable or not.

Also a child leaving school nowadays or in the last how many years or doing something NOT approved by written consent with the issues that can be raised or the parents not being notified the child did did not take the bus, left school, never came to school, well, I'd say is a thing in and of itself.

Jmo.
 

VANISHED: The missing teenage boys whose cases remain unsolved​

The tragic case of Jay Slater has been a constant presence in the news over the past few weeks, ending in the devastating discovery of the teenager's body. However, countless other families continue to endure the mystery surrounding their own missing loved ones.

Every year, British police receive tens of thousands of missing person reports. While many teenagers are eventually found, a significant number of cases remain unsolved.

Jay's case has been one of the most high-profile in recent times, with a large-scale search operation ultimately leading to the discovery of his body. A post-mortem examination concluded that he had died from injuries suffered in a fall.

However, it's the high number of UK teenage boys currently listed as missing that draws the most direct comparison with Jay. We look at his tragic case and other similar unresolved mysteries.

Andrew Gosden​

Andrew Gosden, then 14, originally from Doncaster, disappeared in London on September 14, 2007. The teenager left his home, withdrew £200 from his bank account and then bought a one-way ticket from Doncaster to London King's Cross.

His reasons for travelling to London and his fate after last being seen exiting the main entrance of King's Cross Station at about 11.25am that day remain unknown. Andrew was dressed casually, wearing a Slipknot T-shirt and carrying a bag with many patches of metal bands.

If you have any information about Andrew, follow the link on Missing People here and be aware of the reference number 07-019198.

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Missing Doncaster teenager Andrew Gosden theories on painful anniversary​

Yorkshire schoolboy Andrew Gosden was last seen on September 17 2007 at King's Cross Station in London after he had boarded a train from Doncaster.

He had bought a one-way ticket and has not been seen since. At the time of his disappearance, Andrew was only 14 years old and living in Balby, Doncaster.

His family are desperate for answers after 17 long years of not knowing whether their beloved son is alive or dead. Several theories have been put forward over the years on why he had decided to visit London and what might have happened to him, but despite many national appeals the reason for the trip, and what happened next, remain unknown.

Andrew Gosden was described as a gifted student with a 100 per cent attendance record at McAuley Catholic High School in Cantley Lane, Doncaster. He was expected to score As in his GCSEs and was said to be a prize-winning maths wizard who may have been destined to go to a top university.

His family described Andrew as a 'home bird' who was quiet and very intelligent.

At the time of his disappearance, Andrew was just over a week into the new school year and it was reported that in the days leading up to his train trip to London, he had twice broken his routine by walking home the four-mile route rather than take the school bus.

On the morning of his disappearance, Andrew skipped school and took £200 from his account and went back home where he changed from his school uniform and put on a black Slipknot T-shirt and black jeans. He took his wallet, keys and a PlayStation Portable console, but not his passport.

At 8.30am he left the house and walked to Doncaster railway station, where he bought a one-way ticket to London. And at 9.35am he was seen boarding a train to King's Cross.

Andrew arrived at King's Cross at 11.20am and was caught on CCTV leaving the entrance five minutes later this was the final confirmed sighting of him.

A number of theories have subsequently been put forward about why Andrew had gone to London. One possibility put forward is that he had gone to the capital to meet someone he had met on the internet, although there was no evidence.

Another theory put forward by Andrew's family is that he had gone sightseeing as he was known to have enjoyed trips to London in the past and had family and friends who lived there.

The possibility that he had gone to a music concert was also considered but again it was reported that there was no evidence he had attended any events or gigs that had taken place around that time.

In September 2009, Andrew's father Kevin told the The Mirror that he believed the trip was a spur-of-the-moment idea, saying: "Did he decide to do the Reginald Perrin thing, and reinvent himself? Or was there something troubling him that he felt he couldn't tell us? In my heart, I still think his disappearance was a spur-of-the-moment thing."

Kevin also wondered if Andrew had gone to London to visit the British Museum. Over the years Kevin and his wife Glenys have played out every possibility of what might have happened.

The family also revealed another theory that Andrew might have been going down to London to look for work experience as his older sister, Charlotte, had done so two years earlier when she was 14. She had handed out CVs to banks in The Strand.
 

Andrew Gosden: Today marks 17th anniversary of Doncaster teen's disappearance​

The 14-year-old was last seen on September 14, 2007 – and despite huge national and international manhunts, he has never been found.

His father Kevin and mother Glenys have never given up on finding Andrew, who was last seen at King’s Cross Station in London after leaving the family’s home in Balby.
 

Missing Andrew Gosden's dad shares heart breaking memory on son's 32nd birthday​

Andrew Gosden's dad has shared his thoughts about his beloved son on his 32nd birthday - nearly 18 years after he disappeared.

Andrew was 14 when he went missing from his home in Doncaster in September 2007. South Yorkshire Police said it was never too late to share information with police and urged people to get in touch if they know anything.

"Sometimes I am able to rationalise things and calm myself, but the sensation often persists until I go to bed again.

"It is a common symptom of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Along with the flashbacks and nightmares.

"After nearly 18 years since Andrew went missing, it demonstrates how deeply rooted in the subconscious a traumatic time can be.

"These moments can affect your entire life and this is particularly the case when you cannot reach a conclusion about the fate of your missing loved one.

"I wrote a year ago about our house refurbishment and how difficult it has felt to change Andrew’s old room in particular. I am still working on the house, but a great deal has been completed now and we have endeavoured to do things in a way that reminds us of Andrew."

Kevin shared photos of how Andrew's bedroom now looks, including the use of blue as it was the colour he chose when he was little. "When we were looking at paint colours, we ended up saying it had to be blue, the colour Andrew chose when he was young: anything else just felt wrong to us," he wrote.

Kevin said a portrait of Andrew had also been put up and one of his sister, Charlotte, who was best friends with her brother. "These are the positive memories, the ones that remind us of Andrew, how much we love him," Kevin wrote.

"I was recently asked for a podcast if I have any difficult memories of Andrew and the straight up answer is no; we always enjoyed his company and conversation and my wife and I were always aware of how easy our children were at every age. It reminded me of a colleague one lunch time who commented that I was the only member of the team who never grumbled about his children. I never had to."


"He will be 32 on July 10. Perhaps you would feel able to remember Andrew by sharing a current appeal for a missing young person, or by making a donation, however small, to Missing People, the charity that is always there for us and so many other families. Thank you."
 
Some background info.

Kings Cross is a major train station in North London and is the station i would need to travel to across London by Underground from Paddington Station, which is the main train station for trains from Wales and the west of England. I would then have to get another train at Kings Cross to go North to Bedfordshire to visit my family. I am very familiar with it, back to the mid 60's, and travelled there on trips with my friends to London for shopping and concerts many times. It is not unusual for teens to travel on their own and is relatively safe I would say.

In my opinion, he must have travelled to meet someone in particular.
 

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