Missing nuclear sub sailor was questioned by police minutes before he vanished into thin air
- Family’s anguish as mystery of what happened to serviceman deepens
A sailor from one of the UK’s top secret nuclear submarines was quizzed by police less than an hour before he mysteriously disappeared, The Scottish Mail on Sunday can reveal.
Josh Gayton was last captured on CCTV in the early hours of Tuesday after a night out, wearing just a T-shirt and trousers.
However, it is now known that just after midnight police officers spoke to Mr Gayton in connection with a minor offence.
He was reported missing later that day when he failed to turn up for duty at Faslane Naval Base.
The 21-year-old is from Worcestershire and is thought to be unfamiliar with the area of Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire, where he was last seen.
Concern for Josh Gayton, 21, was last seen in the early hours of Tuesday
Mr Gayton was captured on CCTV in Helensburgh town centre on a night out
Last night, Police Scotland confirmed officers spoke to Mr Gayton shortly before the last sighting. A spokesman said: ‘At 12.05am on Tuesday, April 16, in West Clyde Street, Helensburgh, a 21-year-old man was issued with a fixed penalty notice in connection with a public urination offence.’
Since his disappearance, his shipmates have launched their own search in an attempt to locate him, while loved ones have made appeals online, sharing descriptions and images of Mr Gayton.
A serving military officer, who asked not to be named, spoke of his anger at how the incident has been handled by Police Scotland.
He said: ‘The Royal Navy Police patrol Helensburgh all the time and they should have been contacted by Police Scotland when they were dealing with Josh.
They have a duty of care to people and their slogan is Keeping People Safe.
‘Instead his comrades are wondering why they let him walk off into the night, inebriated, underdressed and not knowing where he was, knowing he was a serving member of the Royal Navy.’
Mr Gayton’s disappearance sparked a huge search by police, the Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence.
He was last seen on CCTV, walking alone on East Clyde Street, near Lomond Street, away from Helensburgh town centre towards nearby Craigendoran, at 12.46am on Tuesday – some six miles from the base.
Inquiries are ongoing and CCTV reviews have disclosed that a man matching his description was seen speaking to a member of the public at 12.25am outside the Riva restaurant on West Clyde Street.
The disappearance of Mr Gayton will have sent shockwaves through the Faslane military base where he was stationed – not least because of the role he plays in supporting the UK’s nuclear deterrent. Britain’s Vanguard-class submarines – equipped with Trident nuclear missiles – are located there.
At least one of the base’s vessels is on patrol at all times to maintain a continuous at-sea deterrent. In 2022, Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack said Trident and Nato were the only things stopping Vladimir Putin from attacking the West.
Following a visit to Faslane that year, he discussed his admiration for the type of people required to crew the submarines, saying ‘nothing about submarines and submariners is routine’.
Mr Jack added: ‘Crews operate under constant pressure, literal and figurative. The personnel are among the brightest and best in our armed forces.
Mr Gayton is stationed at Faslane Naval Base, near Helensburgh
And the most dedicated, away from friends and family for months at a time.’
Mr Gayton was wearing a grey Nirvana T-shirt, black trousers, white Nike trainers and a silver chain with a cross.
Local area commander Chief Inspector Allan Dickson said: ‘It is unusual for Josh to not be in touch with anyone and we are concerned about him.
‘We have significant resources dedicated to this inquiry and we are urging the public to come forward with any information relating to his whereabouts.’
A spokesman for the Royal Navy said: ‘We can confirm that there is an ongoing search for a Royal Navy sailor.
We are working closely with Police Scotland and it would be inappropriate to comment further.’
