Missing person Matthew Bateman now safe and well

BEST selling author Colin Bateman has used social media this morning to thank everyone who helped in the search for his missing son Matthew.

The 18-year-old went missing last Friday in the Botanic area of south Belfast.

However, police reported on Thursday that Matthew had turned up safe and well.

On Facebook this morning, his Divorcing Jack author dad Colin Bateman said: “As you may know by now our son was found safe in Belfast yesterday afternoon.

“We have been astonished and moved by the support we received here on facebook, from friends and from the media.

“It was as a result of all this publicity that Matthew was spotted in Belfast and picked up.

“The PSNI were hugely supportive and the staff at the Ulster Hospital and associated agencies really on the ball.

“We do live in a wonderful country and in cynical times it is refreshing to discover how fundamentally kind people are – literally thousands of you were keeping an eye out for our boy.

“Lots of young people go missing every year and I’m aware that not all parents are lucky enough to be able to call on the level of publicity that we could.

“A little local fame can be a double edged sword, but in this case it was absolutely worth it because we got our boy back.

“So thank-you all again for everything, we will be eternally grateful.

“P.S. – The first person who says ‘You could get a book out of this’ is getting decked.”