Search goes on for missing asylum mum

POLICE have vowed to keep up the hunt for a missing Sri Lankan mum who disappeared two days ago.
Jayanthy Joseph, 40, remains missing despite extensive searches by police and coastguards.

She has not been seen since Sunday morning after being given the devastating news that she and her two teenage daughters Jeevitha, 16, and Neeraja Joseph, 15, were to be deported.

Mrs Joseph, 40, was reported missing after the girls returned from church to their home in Huckelhoven Court, Hartlepool, at 10.30am and found her gone.

They had appealed to immigration officials to stay in Hartlepool after they fled war-torn Sri Lanka when the girls' dad was abducted.

Inspector Carl Broughton, of Hartlepool Police, said: "We are definitely not scaling down the search.

"We are still treating it as a high risk so would appeal for anyone with information or who has seen her to telephone us.

"Everywhere we know she had contact with is being searched on a daily basis. Fingers crossed she is okay and just trying to hide."

Joe Hughes, the headteacher at English Martyrs School where the girls attended, has sent a message of support to Jeevitha and Neeraja.

He said: "My thoughts are feelings of great sympathy towards the girls.

"I suppose not knowing what has happened or what is going on is one of the hardest things. We have to stay positive and say that no news is good news. Hopefully she will turn up."

The children are being looked after by a family friend.

The family arrived in Hartlepool last summer after fleeing fighting in their homeland.

Mrs Joseph is described as 5ft 5ins tall with black hair. She was possibly wearing flower earrings, a silver cross necklace and a heart-shaped ring on her left hand.

Anyone with information should contact police on (01642) 302126