John's parent's are desperate to find their son

by Emma Grove

A hunt for a vulnerable man who had become obsessed with Michael Jackson has been scaled back.

John Howells was last seen in Leysdown last Thursday evening.

The 28-year-old was on two types of anti-depressants.

His parents, Melita and John, say they have discovered side effects of these can include suicidal thoughts.

However, they are certain their son is alive.

Family friend Susan Wildego, 54, lives a few doors from John John, as he is known to family and friends.

She says about a week before he went missing he had damaged property as his villa which prompted the family to take him for counselling and get the anti-depressants.

John, who last saw his son the Tuesday before he went missing, said: "The day after he smashed up his place he said to somebody 'I want to go over to France to see Michael Jackson'.

"He said if he can't get a boat he would swim there and I know that his mind is so bad he will do it.

"My worst fear is not finding him but however they find him I want him back.

"I can't explain it but I can feel that he's alive but he's hurting somewhere."

John John was last seen by friends and family at about 8.30pm on Thursday and it is thought he knocked on a caravan in the Central Beach park at about 11.10pm.

Susan added: "His cousin and friends came and sat with him for a bit on Thursday night and they said he was in such a good mood and that was the last sighting of him from anyone that knew him.

"He's such a friendly boy and would talk to anybody - he hasn't got a bad bone in his body.

"This is so unlike him but he wasn't in our world.

"i know in my heart he's still alive somewhere...” – john’s dad

"We want people to keep looking for him the police are scaling down their search because they have searched every nook and cranny but we want to keep it in people's minds.

"Please keep that picture of him in your mind."

Melita, 54, said: "He's never ever done anything like this before."

John, 60, added: "I have been here ever since I found out and I have been out every single night.

"I know in my heart he's still alive somewhere and that's why I have to keep going out.

"I have been in every part of everywhere - all over the cliffs and I have even been stopping cars.

"I have been doing everything and I won't stop until I find him."

John John is white, of medium build, with black hair and walks with a limp.

He was last seen wearing a grey vest, a grey tracksuit and white Reebok trainers.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Kent Police on 01622 690 690.