Today marks a sombre milestone as it has been 10 years since Paul Harley vanished from his home in Dumbarton, leaving his family and community still searching for answers. Paul was last seen on September 28, 2014, when he went missing from Whiteford Avenue in Bellsmyre. At the time, Paul was 53 years old and working as a welder for Network Rail. Originally from Coatbridge, Paul moved to Dumbarton in 2008 and has become a well-known figure in the local community.
Described as white, around 5 feet 7 inches tall, and of slim build, Paul has black receding hair and a distinctive tattoo of “Kyla” on his right arm. On the day he disappeared, his family believed he was wearing jogging bottoms, a hooded top, and black and white Skechers trainers.
Paul was an active member of the community, tending to his plot at Bellsmyre Community Garden and coaching the local football team. Known for his characteristic walk—hands in his pockets, head bowed—Paul left an impression on everyone he met.
Over the years, there have been several leads, including a possible sighting in 2019 when a photograph surfaced of a homeless man in Glasgow who resembled Paul. Despite the potential lead, no concrete information emerged. His family continues to hold out hope for answers, appealing to anyone in the community who may have information.
Despite the passage of time, Paul’s children refuse to give up hope. In August 2023, the court granted an application for Paul to be legally presumed dead, as per his family’s wishes. However, they stress that this legal formality has not diminished their determination to find out what happened.
Anyone with information about Paul’s whereabouts is urged to contact Dumbarton Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111.
The Missing People charity is also available at 116000 or by email at [email protected], quoting reference 14-005551.
As his family and friends mark a decade since his disappearance, they continue to hope for closure and urge anyone with information to come forward, no matter how small it may seem.
