Fears for 'uncle George' after blood found in flat (From Times Series)

Family appeals over missing Barnet pensioner George Smith

2:40pm Sunday 6th September 2009 in News By Jack Royston

THE fearful niece of a missing Barnet pensioner, whose flat was found covered in blood, is appealing for help.

Zahra Smith, 36, of Berkshire, last spoke to her 60-year-old uncle George on Saturday, August 22, but since then concerned relatives have found “large quantities of blood” in his Finch Close home.

The disappearance is being investigated by the Met's Homocide and Serious Crime Command.

Zahra said: “It's really stressful and very upsetting. I've been told there was blood in the premises and that's really scary to hear.

“He's a very lovely, fun person. He's one of those people you warm to immediately. People go to him with their problems.

“He's one of those uncle-type figures. Even his neighbours called him uncle George. I love him very much and I really want him back.”

Zahra said she usually speaks to George, described as black, 5ft 9inches tall, around 16st and of chubby build, every other day, but when she rang on Sunday she only got his answer phone.

It was her brother and his wife who went to the flat, where they discovered the blood in several different places.

Police say there was no sign of a forced entry, or a struggle, and the pattern of bleeding is not consistent with an attack inside the home.

Tests are still being run to establish whether it is George's blood and, while officers still do not know where it came from, detectives fear something “sinister” may have happened.

Detective Inspector Glen Lloyd, of the Homocide and Serious Crime Command, said: “We are investigating the incident, because mystery surrounds it.

“We don't know whether we could be looking at a missing person inquiry or whether something more sinister has happened.

“There's potential for serious, criminal offences to have taken place. We have got a significant amount of blood at the scene.

“The gentleman in question is not in good health. It could be medical. The scene isn't consistent with an attack in the flat but, with the large amounts of blood there, it is worrying.”

George, who has angina and high blood pressure, uses a walking stick to help with knee problems.

He has a moustache and a goatee beard, which is mostly grey, and when last seen had a freshly-shaved head.

He has a small dimple on his nose, where it was broken in the past, and usually wears jeans and a shirt.

He is a regular at the Weavers, Red Lion and Queens Arms pubs, smokes roll-up cigarettes and wears glasses for reading.

He is known to visit the Greenhill Parade area as well as Grahame Park, near Colindale.

Anyone with information can telephone officers on 0208 358 0400, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.