NEW clues can today be revealed about missing man Tobiasz Minski. The information comes as his anguished mother has appealed directly to a taxi driver who may have been the last person to see her son to come forward.
Hanna Minska, 55, has flown to England from her home in Poland to do all she can to find her 23-year-old son.
She has already put up a £5,000 reward for information leading to his safe return.
Both she and Tobiasz’s long-term girlfriend, Malgorzata Brychcy, will be out in Huddersfield town centre this weekend asking people in the pubs and clubs if anyone has seen him.
They have a new poster to distribute.
Tobiasz vanished in the early hours of Friday, November 9, after a night out in Huddersfield town centre.
It emerged today that he withdrew £120 during that evening and got into a white taxi with two unknown men.
The taxi was last seen heading out of Huddersfield on Westgate. But, in a twist, it can be revealed that Tobiasz got into the taxi up to 20 minutes before it left the town centre.
It is now believed the three got into the cab near the Kingsgate shopping centre just before 5am.
Yet at 5.15am the taxi was seen on CCTV stopping outside the HSBC bank, on the corner of New Street and Cloth Hall Street, where Tobiasz withdrew £40.
This was the third lot of £40 he had withdrawn from cash dispensers in the town centre that night.
A major breakthrough could now happen if the taxi driver comes forward or can be traced.
The police have just released a photo of the taxi heading up Westgate. It is then thought to have turned left on to Huddersfield ring road and so could have headed towards Manchester Road and the Colne Valley.
The taxi is a white hackney cab with a taxi sign on top. It looks to be either a VW Bora or Passat or possibly even a Skoda.
Insp David Glover, of Huddersfield police, said: “It is important we speak to this taxi driver and we are doing all we can to trace him.
“We would urge all the drivers of white cabs working at around 5am that Friday morning to think about who they picked up.
“Does anyone remember picking up the three men, taking them to a cashpoint and then driving them out of town?
“If so, where did they go? Did all the men get out the car together?’’
Tobiasz and Malgorzata – known as Rita – come from the Polish town of Poznan.
Tobiasz lived there with his mother, 52-year-old father Piotr and 28-year-old brother Maciej
He has been living with Rita in Long-royd Bridge since summer last year. They are studying for degrees at Huddersfield University.
Both work at Mymou bar on Queen Street in Huddersfield town centre.
Hanna said: “I just could not stand to be at home in Poland any more while Tobiasz was missing. I just wanted to come, help in the search and, in a sense, be closer to him.
“Tobiasz is so easy-going, friendly and happy.
“We are desperate for any information and would appeal for anyone who can help us to come forward.’’
Tobiasz and a friend had been to the Camel Club in the town centre, but left separately in the early hours.
Tobiasz then went to Bar Rouge on King Street and chatted to door staff outside La Salsa Club before catching a taxi with the other two men who are possibly strangers to him.
Rita said: “On a night out Tobiasz would talk to lots of people. That’s his nature.’’
One of the men he was with is stocky with slightly spiky dark hair. He wore a hooded jacket with bold stripes on.
Rita said: “We are now displaying posters out of the town centre, possibly into Birkby and Paddock. We will be calling at shops asking them to put the posters up and only hope they can help.’’
Anyone who has any information should contact Huddersfield police on 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers free and anonymously on 0800 555 111.
