Wife's appeal for missing husband Andrew Goodchild to return to Annfield Plan home (From The Northern Echo)

Wife's appeal for missing husband Andrew Goodchild to return to Annfield Plan home

3:31pm Sunday 12th February 2012 in News

A heartbroken mother is making a desperate plea for her husband to come home after he disappeared last week.

Andrew Goodchild sparked a police search after he disappeared last Thursday with armful of belongings following a row.

He sent text messages to his wife Margaret and best friend saying they would never see him again.

Now Mrs Goodchild is pleading for the 34-year-old to return to her and their 15-month-year-old daughter Holly at their home in Annfield Plain, near Stanley, County Durham.

She said: "There have been stresses and problems which accumulated into an argument on Thursday but nothing to warrant this.

"Before he left he said our daughter Holly I were his world and he would do anything for us. We just want him back home, if he doesn't want to ring me or his friend then telephone the police and just let them know he is well.

"I'm trying to keep things as normal as possible for Holly's sake. She went to nursery on Friday and over the weekend she has been playing with her kitchen, not knowing what is going on.

"I went to bed the other night and brought Holly in with me. I just cuddled her and thought about Andrew.

"I kept waking up and each time I did I looked at my phone, hoping that he'd tried to ring or text me. I keep ringing him, but his phone is switched off."

Some of Andrew's happiest moments were on December 12 2009 when he married Margaret and when Holly was christened last year.

Police have searched the church where both occasions were held as they feel he could go back.

Margaret, 31, a tutor of chartered accountancy, added: "Andrew and I met about four-an-a-half years ago when we were on a night out in Newcastle.

"We met in a bar and he came across and asked me to go out with him.

"It was love at first sight, I do love him. He is a lovely bloke, he would do anything for you and always puts others first. This is completely out of character. He loves me and Holly, we want him home.

"Holly isn't talking yet but can say the occasional word and sounds, but the one word she does say is 'dada'."

Andrew works as an IT manager for Stanley Travel. He left in his dark green Vauxhall Corsa with the registration YX02 UKD.

Mrs Goodchild added: "He threw some things in black bin bags when he went. He also took his laptop and phone.

"I have put messaged on Facebook asking him to come home, just in case he goes on the website. It's agony not knowing where he is."

Andrew's best friend Glen Craig also appealed for him to get in touch.

He said: "Whether it's me or Margaret it doesn't matter, we just want to know he's all right and he's safe."

Mr Goodchild left at around 9.15pm on Thursday. Durham Police said anyone with information about Andrew's whereabouts should dial 101.