Familes pleas over missing boys

Nov 14 2006 By Emma Cullwick, Birmingham Mail

THE families of David Spencer and Patrick Warren today made fresh appeals for anyone who knows anything about what happened to them to come forward.

David was 13 and Patrick 11 when they disappeared after going out on a bicycle which one of the boyshad received as a Christmas present.

David's mother, Christine O'Toole, said: "This time of year is terrible. I don't celebrate Christmas and haven't put a tree or trimmings up since David went missing.

"In my mind, I go over our last conversation. I told him not to be late getting to Paddy's brothers. Next thing I knew, the police were at the door saying the boys were missing.

"In all these years, I haven't changed my phone number or moved in case he wants to make contact.

For months I didn't go out because I was waiting to hear from him. I really hope that David is stillalive, but I just can't see it.

"Someone out there is bound to know something, bad or good, they just need to come forward."

The 43-year-old grandmother, who has two other sons, Jonathan, 21, and Lee, 19, added: "If somethingterrible has happened at least I can grieve.

I"'m in limbo at the moment not knowing if he's dead or alive. I would like to give him a proper funeraland have a special place that I can visit.

"That would be important to me and his brothers, to know that we could go and see him."

David's stepfather, Michael O'Toole, died last month.

Mrs O'Toole's sentiments were echoed by Patrick's father, Derek Warren.

The 64-year-old said: "As a family, we are desperate to know what has happened to Patrick since he went missing.

"This January was Patrick's 21st birthday. We don't know whether he's alive or has come to harm, but we can't come to terms with anything until we know for sure."