A man is appealing for help to track down the police officer who helped him as a teenager after he was abandoned by his father in Gainsborough.

Back in 2011 a 17-year-old boy found wandering alone on a rural road after he had been driven into the countryside and left there by his father following a family argument.

The police officer who happened upon this boy picked him up and gave him 20 minutes of his time, offering calm and grounding advice that was never forgotten.

In fact, it is this moment that is credited with changing the course of this boy’s life forever.

A man is appealing for help to track down the police officer who helped him as a teenager after he was abandoned by his father in Gainsborough

placeholder image — A man is appealing for help to track down the police officer who helped him as a teenager after he was abandoned by his father in Gainsborough

A spokesman from Gainsborough Police said: “We don’t yet know who this officer is, but we would like to find out so he can know the difference he made."

This is the letter the police received.

“I am writing with an unusual request. Approximately 14 to 15 years ago (around 2011–2012), I was a 17-year-old living in Gainsborough with my family in an insular, high-control household.

“Following an intense family dispute, my father drove me roughly 30 minutes north into the countryside outside Gainsborough, likely along the rural roads heading north toward Scotter; Blyton and North Lincolnshire, and left me stranded on the road at midnight.

“After I had walked for 15 to 25 minutes in the pitch dark, a young Lincolnshire Police officer on solo patrol drove past, turned his vehicle around, and picked me up.

“He was roughly 25 to 35-years-old at the time. I told him what had happened, and instead of taking me back or treating me as a problem, he gave me 20 minutes of calm, grounding advice. He said ‘you’re about to be 18 and then you can go live your life. I don’t understand what you’re going through, but I see that you’re able to take care of yourself, and I believe in you’.

“Those 20 minutes gave me the courage to step out, build an independent life, and forge a successful career.

“I have never forgotten that officer. I would love the opportunity to let him know the lasting impact he had.

“If you could share this brief description on your internal intranet, staff noticeboard, or with the West Lindsey / Gainsborough team to see if anyone recognizes the memory, I would be deeply grateful.”

Although this was 15 years ago, the police would like to identify this officer and are making enquiries within the Force.

It’s possible the officer may have retired or moved elsewhere so if you know of any officers in Gainsborough around 2011-2012, please share this with them and email [email protected] with any information.