A COUNCIL official who was missing from home for almost two months is at the centre of an investigation into missing funds, police revealed yesterday.

Detectives are unable to question Terry Robson over allegations that thousands of pounds have gone missing from a trust fund, because of his mental state.

Mr Robson, clerk and solicitor for Spennymoor Town Council, County Durham, was found in a hostel in Edinburgh eight weeks after police launched a massive search of the North-East.

Police had travelled to Scotland after social security checks revealed Mr Robson had claimed benefits under his own name then returned to sign on again using the false name, Thomas Tweddle, with his own date of birth.

Two officers from Durham Constabulary's Sedgefield division tracked him down in the early hours of Saturday, August 8, and he was arrested on suspicion of theft.

The 55-year-old has since remained in a secure unit at Darlington Memorial Hospital as a voluntary attendee, where he is said to be suffering from depression.

Detective Superintendent Harry Stephenson, who was in charge of the investigation to find Mr Robson, said: "We hope Terry makes a sufficient recovery and we can then question him about these issues."

The investigation centres on two trust funds set up for a brother and sister in which Mr Robson, a solicitor, invested £20,000 in 1988.

The girl received her money in instalments several years ago but when her brother started to make inquiries about the fund, another solicitor in the town discovered a huge sum was unaccounted for.

Police had called at Mr Robson's home, in North Close, Kirk Merrington, on Friday, June 13, to talk to him about the missing money but he was out and they arranged to return the next day.

But on the Saturday, Mr Robson was reported as missing by his wife, Valerie. He had left the house early that morning leaving a note to say he was going to his allotment at St Paul's Gardens.

His car was found abandoned at Alnmouth, Northumberland. Police said that Mr Robson walked all the way to Edinburgh via a cycle route, sleeping rough on his marathon journey.

Yesterday, Mrs Robson, a special needs teacher, did not wish to comment, but family liaison officer Detective Constable Justine Redfearn spoke on her behalf and for the couple's son, Jeremy, and daughter, Andrea.

She said: "Valerie and the rest of the family would like to thank everyone for their support and help during the search for Terry.

"They are glad he is back safely and their priority now is to get him back to the Terry Robson they know and love."