UK UK - Andrew Gosden, 14, Doncaster, South Yorks, 14 Sep 2007 #2

[Deleted member 272706]

I don't think LE would trust random internet sleuthers with case details or files which is probably why they won't release them. It might jepordize what they know about the case. Maybe they have a theory in mind but are waiting to snipe. We don't know.

Sure. Anyone can ask for information, though. Ultimately, the investigators can override, but FOIA requests have to be taken seriously, no matter who is asking.

 

[matchaoatmilk]

Same. Someone very familiar with the King's Cross station back in 2007 said that it seemed strange for Andrew to leave through the door that he did. There's not much out there apart from a bus stop and a short walk to the ThamesLink train, which connects to Brighton.

In footage, he seems to be walking in the general direction of the ThamesLink entrance, although he could've been going anywhere by foot, of course. However, it does make me wonder whether he got right on another train, or spent a short time in London before heading south from another station.

Also, in the video below, the video from behind makes his bag seem a bit more full than in other angles (assuming that's him in the video there). Unfortunately, the third- or fourth-hand footage is very grainy.

Maybe he was unaware where to exit? When I moved to outside London last year my nearest station to London was now Liverpool St instead of Waterloo. I was very confused at first and thought I could catch a train to Waterloo from that station because my trainpal app said I could. I looked like a weirdo walking out and around before I realised I had to catch two tube trains and that the tube exit was inside the station. Maybe he was lost because he didn't have a map?

 

[matchaoatmilk]

Sure. Anyone can ask for information, though. Ultimately, the investigators can override, but FOIA requests have to be taken seriously, no matter who is asking.

Yes, you can file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request regarding a missing person case to access records held by public authorities like police departments. However, requests for active investigations are often denied or partially redacted to protect the investigation.
Key Aspects of FOIA on Missing Person Cases:
What You Can Request: You can request recorded information, including, but not limited to, police reports, notes, emails, and, in some cases, CCTV footage.
Limitations: Public authorities are not required to create new information or provide data that would interfere with an active investigation.
Exemptions: Information may be withheld if it compromises the investigation or violates the privacy of the missing person or others.
How to Apply: Send a written request to the relevant police force or authority, being as specific as possible about the information you are seeking.
While you can file a FOIA request, it is often more effective to directly contact the law enforcement agency handling the investigation to obtain information, especially for ongoing cases.

 

[Deleted member 272706]

Maybe he was unaware where to exit? When I moved to outside London last year my nearest station to London was now Liverpool St instead of Waterloo. I was very confused at first and thought I could catch a train to Waterloo from that station because my trainpal app said I could. I looked like a weirdo walking out and around before I realised I had to catch two tube trains and that the tube exit was inside the station. Maybe he was lost because he didn't have a map?

Could be, especially if he was aiming to go somewhere he hadn't been before.

The difference is that he was familiar with that station and had been there with family many times. They probably took the same route each time - probably to the tube, if I had to guess. I doubt they'd usually leave King's Cross at all.

 

[matchaoatmilk]

Could be, especially if he was aiming to go somewhere he hadn't been before.

The difference is that he was familiar with that station and had been there with family many times. They probably took the same route each time - probably to the tube, if I had to guess. I doubt they'd usually leave King's Cross at all.

Maybe he did take a Thameslink to Brighton. But that begs the question why? Did he want to go to the beach? There's not much to see in Brighton besides the beach and the aquarium.

 

[matchaoatmilk]

Could be, especially if he was aiming to go somewhere he hadn't been before.

The difference is that he was familiar with that station and had been there with family many times. They probably took the same route each time - probably to the tube, if I had to guess. I doubt they'd usually leave King's Cross at all.

It's been stated that in his bag he was carrying a wallet, keys, and PSP. He may have been carrying more but it's never been said anywhere.

 

[Deleted member 272706]

Maybe he did take a Thameslink to Brighton. But that begs the question why? Did he want to go to the beach? There's not much to see in Brighton besides the beach and the aquarium.

I couldn't say. But it'd be interesting to see if any of the 11 Brighton sightings lined up with trains from London.

September 2007 is right before they switched the ThamesLink station by King's Cross to St. Pancras. Looking at historic train timetables, it looks like there would've been a departure at 11:54am that arrived in Brighton at 1:19pm.

 

[matchaoatmilk]

I couldn't say. But it'd be interesting to see if any of the 11 Brighton sightings lined up with trains from London.

September 2007 is right before they switched the ThamesLink station by King's Cross to St. Pancras. Looking at historic train timetables, it looks like there would've been a departure at 11:54am that arrived in Brighton at 1:19pm.

It's possible, but again what would he do in Brighton? It's not like America where you can drive Connecticut to Cape Cod and spend 4-6 hours at the seaside. This is London to Brighton. If I did that for a day I'd have maybe 1-1.5hrs to spend at the beach before home time. He didn't know anyone in Brighton. There were no notable concerts that day in the area. Brighton Festival wasn't until the 24th.

 

[matchaoatmilk]

His phones were taken again for investigation when they arrested those two guys but nothing found: Redirect Notice

 

[paracletus____]

His phones were taken again for investigation when they arrested those two guys but nothing found: Redirect Notice

I think those were the arrested men's digital devices.

 

[matchaoatmilk]

I couldn't say. But it'd be interesting to see if any of the 11 Brighton sightings lined up with trains from London.

September 2007 is right before they switched the ThamesLink station by King's Cross to St. Pancras. Looking at historic train timetables, it looks like there would've been a departure at 11:54am that arrived in Brighton at 1:19pm.

This is what the exit looked like at the time. Bus stop is literally right there.

 

[matchaoatmilk]

Crime in Brighton in 2007 wasn't that high so that's weird if we try to trace him to there: In September 2007, Brighton was in the middle of a significant transition. While the city still carried a reputation for high crime—particularly regarding drugs and late-night violence—local data shows that this specific month fell within a period where crime was actually dropping significantly compared to the previous year.
Here is a breakdown of what the situation looked like on the ground in September 2007:
The Statistical Picture
By September 2007, Brighton & Hove Police were six months into a "performance year" that saw massive improvements. According to city council reports from that time:
* Woundings (Serious Assaults): These typically peaked in the summer (July/August), but by September 2007, they were trending downward and remained significantly lower than in September 2006.
* Total Crime: The city was on track for a 16.4% reduction in "comparative crimes" (the standard basket of crimes used to measure police performance).
* Theft and Vehicle Crime: These were at some of their lowest levels in years, with vehicle thefts down by over 30% compared to the same period in 2006.
Persistent Problems in Sept 2007
Despite the overall drop, September 2007 wasn't without its issues. Two areas remained "high" or were starting to rise:
* Domestic Burglary: While most crimes were falling, burglary began a "slight rising trend" around this time. September saw the start of a period where police recorded over 100 domestic burglaries per month.
* The "Night-Time Economy": Areas like West Street and the Seafront remained high-crime zones for anti-social behavior and alcohol-related disorder, especially as the student population returned to the city in late September.
Major Local Events/News
* Operation Anagram: In September 2007, a major nationwide investigation was launched (headquartered in part with Sussex Police) to investigate the past of serial killer Peter Tobin, who had lived in Brighton for many years. This brought a heavy "major crime unit" presence to the city.
* Foot and Mouth Scare: While not a "crime," the city and surrounding Sussex countryside were on high alert in September 2007 due to a foot and mouth disease scare, which led to increased police and health inspector patrols in rural areas.
* Fatal Shoreham Airshow Crash: On September 15, 2007, a Hawker Hurricane crashed during a display just outside Brighton at Shoreham Airport, resulting in the death of the pilot.
Summary Table: Sept 2007 Crime Snapshot
| Crime Type | Trend in Sept 2007 |
|---|---|
| Street Violence | Decreasing (compared to 2006) |
| Car Theft | Record Lows |
| Burglary | Increasing (starting a upward trend) |
| Drug Offences | Stable but High (City was still a focus for Class A enforcement) |
Would you like to know more about a specific part of Brighton (like Hove, Kemptown, or the City Cen
ter) during this time?

 

[vagab0nd]

Crime in Brighton in 2007 wasn't that high so that's weird if we try to trace him to there: In September 2007, Brighton was in the middle of a significant transition. While the city still carried a reputation for high crime—particularly regarding drugs and late-night violence—local data shows that this specific month fell within a period where crime was actually dropping significantly compared to the previous year.
Here is a breakdown of what the situation looked like on the ground in September 2007:
The Statistical Picture
By September 2007, Brighton & Hove Police were six months into a "performance year" that saw massive improvements. According to city council reports from that time:
* Woundings (Serious Assaults): These typically peaked in the summer (July/August), but by September 2007, they were trending downward and remained significantly lower than in September 2006.
* Total Crime: The city was on track for a 16.4% reduction in "comparative crimes" (the standard basket of crimes used to measure police performance).
* Theft and Vehicle Crime: These were at some of their lowest levels in years, with vehicle thefts down by over 30% compared to the same period in 2006.
Persistent Problems in Sept 2007
Despite the overall drop, September 2007 wasn't without its issues. Two areas remained "high" or were starting to rise:
* Domestic Burglary: While most crimes were falling, burglary began a "slight rising trend" around this time. September saw the start of a period where police recorded over 100 domestic burglaries per month.
* The "Night-Time Economy": Areas like West Street and the Seafront remained high-crime zones for anti-social behavior and alcohol-related disorder, especially as the student population returned to the city in late September.
Major Local Events/News
* Operation Anagram: In September 2007, a major nationwide investigation was launched (headquartered in part with Sussex Police) to investigate the past of serial killer Peter Tobin, who had lived in Brighton for many years. This brought a heavy "major crime unit" presence to the city.
* Foot and Mouth Scare: While not a "crime," the city and surrounding Sussex countryside were on high alert in September 2007 due to a foot and mouth disease scare, which led to increased police and health inspector patrols in rural areas.
* Fatal Shoreham Airshow Crash: On September 15, 2007, a Hawker Hurricane crashed during a display just outside Brighton at Shoreham Airport, resulting in the death of the pilot.
Summary Table: Sept 2007 Crime Snapshot
| Crime Type | Trend in Sept 2007 |
|---|---|
| Street Violence | Decreasing (compared to 2006) |
| Car Theft | Record Lows |
| Burglary | Increasing (starting a upward trend) |
| Drug Offences | Stable but High (City was still a focus for Class A enforcement) |
Would you like to know more about a specific part of Brighton (like Hove, Kemptown, or the City Cen
ter) during this time?

I don't think he went to Brighton. Maybe he went to Mortlake Station to see the grave of Leonard Rossiter? The guy from his favourite TV show. I really don't think he ran away on purpose because I found this quote from Kevin:
Just a few weeks before his own disappearance, Andrew and Kevin spoke about Madeleine McCann, who had gone missing in May 2007.
'I remember sitting on the sofa in our front room seeing the news of Madeleine McCanns disappearance unfolding and going 'it must be every parent's worst nightmare',' Kevin recalled. 'And Andrew goes, 'Yeah, that's awful. And a few weeks later he disappears off the face of the Earth.'
I'm not sure I'd say that was a particularly strong response from Andrew. I'm not sure what he was supposed to say to his at the time, had he been planning to lea
ve!

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Just a friendly note, if you post AI results, you need to say it's from AI.

I think he might have wanted to walk along the beach for a bit. Why not? Teens have a head full of adventures, sometimes. Also if we think it's possible someone lured him to London, why not Brighton, which is known as a good day trip from London?

 

[vagab0nd]

I have submitted this to the British Transport Police in the off chance that this isn't some sick troll. You never can tell these days. I hope it's taken down or investigated.

It angers me that someone's first thought was to post this for karma instead of just going to the police. It may be nothing or it may be something. It's better to submit it than to be sorry. There was someone on a YouTube comment two months ago that said they were the boy in some photo suspected of being Andrew and he didn't think it's necessary to tell police this many years later. Like what? Any information is valuable.

 

[CocktailQueen]

Just going along with the Brighton possibility. Could Andrew have been gay? Brighton was a well known place that was LBGT friendly in 2007. Far away from home so might have been appealing as not likely to bump into anyone he knew.

 

[vagab0nd]

Just going along with the Brighton possibility. Could Andrew have been gay? Brighton was a well known place that was LBGT friendly in 2007. Far away from home so might have been appealing as not likely to bump into anyone he knew.

It's certainly possible. I thought I was bisexual before I was 10 because I liked Debbie Harry (my parents said when I was 4 I'd always kiss her face on the TV when she came on MTV) and Damon from Blur. I kissed a woman when I was 14 and realised I ws hella straight. If he was gay then what was he doing in Brighton on that specific day? Pride month is in June. There were no pride events going on. There is a museum in Brighton that I've been to that has the history of quadrophenia and gay rights. Maybe he went to Brighton Museum & Art Gallery? I don't know why he would. Seems like a stretch. Anything is possible though.

 

[vagab0nd]

Just going along with the Brighton possibility. Could Andrew have been gay? Brighton was a well known place that was LBGT friendly in 2007. Far away from home so might have been appealing as not likely to bump into anyone he knew.

The way he's talked about though it doesn't seem like he was interested in romance, love, or anything like that. I used to play pretend marriage when I was 7 and I always knew I wanted to get married. My primary school friends used to talk about sex in middle school. If anything, Andrew sounds like he was ace or just not someone that follows trends or cares about what's popular. Also, how would he have known the history of Brighton? I asked my husband how he knew Brighton was a gay hub and he said he only learned that in recent years and wouldn't have known that when he was 14 (he's same age as Andrew would be now).

 

[Professor Moriarty]

I would be surprised if Andrew knew where the Kings Cross Thameslink station (where trains to Brighton could be boarded) was. It was East of Kings Cross and you had to cross roads to get there. The trains were below ground and the entrance wasn't very prominent. Most people who caught trains there were going north. They arrived by underground and so didn't go up to ground level.

Kings Cross was fairly seedy at that time. There were always a few homeless people hanging around outside the station and drugs were dealt there. There was a very seedy pub with strippers and heroin was a big problem in that area. Just North of Kings Cross was an awful area with disused gasometers etc I think it was around that time that a female Austrian tourist visiting London walked into that area. Some kids attacked her, gang raped her and then threw her into a canal.

 

[vagab0nd]

I would be surprised if Andrew knew where the Kings Cross Thameslink station (where trains to Brighton could be boarded) was. It was East of Kings Cross and you had to cross roads to get there. The trains were below ground and the entrance wasn't very prominent. Most people who caught trains there were going north. They arrived by underground and so didn't go up to ground level.

Kings Cross was fairly seedy at that time. There were always a few homeless people hanging around outside the station and drugs were dealt there. There was a very seedy pub with strippers and heroin was a big problem in that area. Just North of Kings Cross was an awful area with disused gasometers etc I think it was around that time that a female Austrian tourist visiting London walked into that area. Some kids attacked her, gang raped her and then threw her into a canal.

The Austrian tourist who was attacked happened in 1997.

Andrew could've easily gone up to a stranger and asked how to catch the Thameslink. I don't know how plausible it all is though. I get the feeling he probably stayed in London and didn't realise how seedy it was. I asked my husband what he thought of Kings Cross back then and he shrugged. He said he wasn't aware of it being seedy because him and his classmates never discussed that. His parents usually just told him to be careful and left it at that.