A heartbreaking thriller that shook Scotland greater than 50 years in the past has been revisited as the subject of a brand new podcast.
In 1971, the physique of a small boy was found washed ashore in Tayport, however his identification stays a thriller to today and nobody has ever come ahead to say him.
Postman Ian Robertson was strolling along with his five-year-old son alongside the seaside within the small village when he noticed the physique within the water. Regardless of an in depth police investigation and numerous leads, there was no success in figuring out the kid. He's believed to be between two and 4 years previous.
The BBC has now launched a brand new collection which seeks to in the end remedy the thriller of the unknown bairn. "The Cruelty: A Youngster Unclaimed" is a nine-part podcast following presenter Davie Donaldson as he tries to lastly decide who this boy was.
Introducing the podcast, he stated: "The unknown bairn has lain unclaimed for over fifty years and the thriller persists as to who he was and why nobody's ever got here ahead.
"However the true tragedy of this case was summed up by the postman who discovered the wee boy. He as soon as stated 'to go lacking and by no means be discovered is one factor, however to be discovered and have by no means have gone lacking - it is as when you by no means existed.'
In discovering a lead, Donaldson related with a retired police officer who claimed to have clues to the boy's identification, however have been by no means adopted up on. Bob Beverage stated that circumstances steered the kid is linked to the traveller group.
As a member of the traveller group, the case resonates with Donaldson, whose father was the identical age because the unknown bairn when he was found again within the 70s.
"It was thought that the unknown bairn was related to my group - Scottish travellers. However to desert a toddler in life or demise goes in opposition to each worth of my individuals," stated Donaldson. "Nevertheless, not claiming a toddler goes in opposition to the values of any group, so the place did he come from?"
All through his analysis, Donaldson uncovers allegations of authority mistreatment in the direction of a marginalised group, which can have contributed to the long-standing thriller. The presenter additionally examines his personal identification, whereas coming to phrases with the stunning discovery.
"This case has remained unsolved for over 50 years, however I consider that if I can re-examine the bread crumbs of knowledge that existed within the press on the time and within the reminiscences of those that are there, then perhaps I can discover one thing that is been ignored and perhaps, simply perhaps I can uncover the reality of what actually occurred," he added.
It was Could 23, 1971, when Ian Robertson was strolling along with his son alongside the seaside within the small village of Tayport - which butts as much as one aspect of the Tay Estuary dealing with onto Dundee throughout the river. Barely setting off, the postman observed one thing misplaced amongst a grove of seaweed close to the water's edge.
Ian delved into the chilly sea to research and made a chilling discovery. To his horror, he had simply uncovered the physique of a small boy, sporting solely a T-shirt and a pair of wellies.
He's reported to have been within the water for a while and his face was unidentifiable attributable to colliding with rocks and ocean particles.
Dwelling on the coastal city, Ian understood that our bodies can wash up on shore and suspected that the unknown baby had perhaps fallen overboard a visiting ship from throughout the port.
Regardless of a number of leads spreading so far as Eire and the Netherlands, there was no success and someplace a household was nonetheless lacking a cherished one.
At present, the physique of the boy is buried in Tayport cemetery, near the place he was found. A heartbroken area people got here collectively to buy a grave stone for the boy. Instead of a reputation, it reads: "In Reminiscence of the Unknown Bairn."
All episodes of The Cruelty: A Youngster Unclaimed at the moment are out there to take heed to on BBC Sounds.
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