Fears continue to grow for Hamilton man Jim Stewart

Jan 7 2010 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

FEARS this week were continuing to grow for the safety of a Hamilton man who has been missing for three weeks.

Painter and decorator Jim Stewart (38) was last seen walking his 15-year-old Alsation/Collie cross by one of his friends in Chatelherault Country Park on Tuesday, December 15, about 8.10pm.

It is feared Jim may have fallen down a gorge or became ill.

Superintendent Colin Campbell, of Hamilton Police Office, this week said: “Our search for Jim has been hampered because of the weather.

“At the moment we don’t know where he is.

“We will be continuing to follow all lines of enquiry and a further search of the park will begin when weather permits.”

The Advertiser reported last week how Jim’s family were finding it difficult to come to terms with his disappearance.

Officers have appealed for the public’s help in tracing him.

Posters of Jim have been distributed widely around the Hamilton area.

Despite a major search involving the police specialist services before Christmas including a helicopter and mountain rescue, dog branch and underwater unit, officers have been unable to find Jim.

A further ground search has been curtailed by the snowfall and extremely low temperatures.

Jim, who has no children, lives with his partner, Anne, in Eddlewood.

Jim and his dog were inseparable and they would be seen regularly walking together in the woods bordering Eddlewood. His dog was found safe.

Jim is described as 5ft 8ins tall, slim, with blue eyes and a pale complexion.

He is bald with dark hair at the sides.

Jim was wearing a blue Regatta zipped fleece, cream jumper and white canvas trousers.

Anyone with information about Jim or his whereabouts should contact Hamilton Police on 483300.