Police quiz man over missing yachtsman

Detectives were today quizzing a man held on suspicion of abducting a millionaire yachtsman and stealing his boat.

Retired property developer Robert Saint, 70, has not been seen since Wednesday, when he left his home in Steyning, West Sussex, to meet a mystery buyer for his 45ft boat, the Sundowner.

Mr Saint had been due to take the boat out from Birdham pool, near Chichester, on Thursday, so the buyer could see it in action, Sussex Police said.

The boat was found at nearby Itchenor on Friday, with no trace of Mr Saint.

Det Chief Insp Martyn Underhill, leading the investigation, codenamed Operation Score, said: "We know that Robert was in the process of selling his boat. He may be somewhere safe and well and if he is we need to speak to him urgently so we can end our search.

"However, it is also possible that he has been abducted or injured and we are therefore calling for any witnesses who may have seen him to come forward."

Police were conducting a detailed forensic search of the boat for clues to what happened to the pensioner, said to look younger than his years.

They were also searching his £1m home.

He was described as 5ft 7ins tall, with blue eyes and white hair with a bald patch.

He was last seen wearing a grey and white jumper over a blue striped shirt, a blue cravat, a gold neck chain with a seal pendant and brown shoes.

Police were questioning a 44-year-old man from Bognor Regis on suspicion of abduction and theft.

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