Missing Damion Vernon: ‘I’ve been searching for dad for a decade’

Acting Ch Insp Owen Stafford said it was “most important” to bring comfort to the family, “even if the news is not positive”.

He added: “Get in touch Damion. You’ve got a daughter and two grandchildren. Courtney wants to see you. She misses you.”

Taking part in the appeal to find her father, which includes regular posts on social media, made her feel like she was doing something positive.

“If anyone knows anything about my dad then I hope they can speak out in some way.

“My main question is why? Why is it him that’s gone, and why is nobody speaking out, because someone must know something?

“With it being 10 years, this is the worst I’ve felt. This is a whole decade without my dad.”

Courtney said Christmas, which her father loved, was a particularly hard time.

“We’d always get him aftershave for Christmas, because he loved it, and when I smell it, that reminds me of him.

“Every Christmas, every birthday, every anniversary, we raise a glass to him.”

Anyone with information can call police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting log 125 of 2 December 2024. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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