Mersey mum appeals for missing son Robbie Crofts to come home

Sep 1 2011 by John Siddle, Liverpool Echo

Robbie Crofts,with daughter Eva

THE distraught mum of missing Robbie Crofts today sent out an emotional message to her son: “I love you, please come home.”

Fighting back tears, Ellen Crofts, 60, said she “refused to accept” fears that the 21-year-old may have been swept away by the currents which claimed the life of his new girlfriend.

The body of sweetheart Hayley Holmes, 17, washed ashore near Fort Perch Rock in New Brighton on Monday morning.

As a frantic search continued along the Wirral coast Ellen told the ECHO of her belief that her son is alive.

Comforted by her husband Brian, her other son and three daughters at the family home in New Brighton, Ellen said: “He’s got to be out there somewhere. He will come home.

“I won’t believe that he has gone. They will have to prove to me that he is gone before I believe it.

“I just want to tell him that I love him and that he needs to come home and be with his family.”

Robbie, described as “genuine, loving and funny” by his parents, began dating Hayley, from Birkenhead, just three weeks ago.

They both went to Mathew Street Festival on Sunday before making the late-night visit to the New Brighton seafront, where detectives recovered Robbie’s phone and two pairs of shoes placed neatly on a wall.

Ellen said: “He was really happy with Hayley and she was happy with him.

“I think they went paddling and something has gone wrong. Maybe he’s tried to save Hayley, I know he would have tried to save her.

“I think he’s not been able to save her and he’s panicked and ran. I can’t believe he’s not alive.

“Watching Hayley drown would have been devastating for him. I think he is in deep mourning for her.

“I refuse to accept that he might be dead.”