Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Legacy Investigation Branch, reviewing the disappearance of two young boys from east Belfast are appealing for the public’s help 56 years on from when they went missing in September 1969.

Eleven year old David Leckey went missing from Memel Street. David’s family 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.

Fourteen year old Jonathan Aven who went missing from Sydenham Drive and was described by his father as “happy little boy” who attended Ashfield Boys “which he seemed to like and appeared to be doing well at.”

Detective Inspector Armstrong said: “More than fifty 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. The pain and suffering of not knowing throughout the years must be unimaginable. Our thoughts very much remain with the families of both David and Jonathan at this time.

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

“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 where all information will be assessed and considered by investigators.

“Detectives can be contacted on 101 or by emailing [email protected] quoting reference RM14009442. A report can also be made online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.”