Police hunt for missing Chinese chef

Police have launched a hunt for a missing chef who disappeared from his Newcastle home in May this year.

Chao Tin Lai, from West View in Elswick, was reported missing on 13 May after he had failed to turn up for work at a city centre restaurant for more than a week at the start of the month.

Further police enquiries established he was last seen by staff at Aspers casino in Newcastle city centre on Wednesday 14 May but there have been no confirmed sightings of him since.

Northumbria Police said they were increasingly concerned for the chef's welfare, having been unable to trace him, and believe he may be working in another restaurant in the UK.

Lai is a 48-year-old man from China, he is 5ft 4ins tall with broad shoulders and what is described as a ‘pot belly'. He is described as having a round face and he is usually clean shaven. He is balding on the top of his head and has short dark hair on the sides. He is known to frequent Aspers casino.

Police are working to trace Mr Lai's family and establish information about his background and lifestyle.

Anyone with information or who knows of Mr Lai's whereabouts is asked to contact police on 101 ext 69191, quoting reference 850 13/05/14.