Warning As Psychiatric Patient Vanishes In Capital

A PATIENT from a psychiatric hospital has gone missing in Edinburgh. Stephen Larnder, 42, an in-patient at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, which offers treatment for acute mental health conditions, was reported missing yesterday.

Police have appealed for sightings of Mr Larnder, but warned the public not to approach him. Mr Larnder was last seen yesterday morning at a café on Morningside Road with a companion.

It is thought he may have gone to railway or bus stations, with the intention of visiting relatives. Lothian and Borders Police have appealed to members of the public to contact them immediately if he is seen.

Mr Larnder speaks in a broad cockney accent and has a tattoo of a black panther on his right arm.

He is described as 5ft 8in, of burly build with blue eyes and distinctive yellow, gapped teeth. He is clean-shaven with dark brown, greasy hair worn long over his ears.

When last seen, he was wearing a grey shirt, black tracksuit bottoms with a white strip on each side and white trainers.