A MOTHER of two is desperately searching for her older brother who she has not seen for seven years.

Kyrenia Shorten, of Portslade, said she dearly misses him and hopes they can be reunited soon.

She said Ian Richardson, 60, was an outgoing and kind person.

She said he was homeless for many years and had tuberculosis before moving into a council house.

Ms Shorten said: “He used to live in Bloomsbury Place [Brighton] ten years ago. The last time I saw Ian was seven years ago and we had a brief conversation.

“Because I was busy looking after my children, I didn’t have much time to catch up with him but we texted each other.

“Ian didn’t always have a phone or sometimes he runs out of credit so if he doesn’t text back in days it’s no surprise. When I last saw him he told me he was still living in Bloomsbury Place.

“But then he never returned any of my text messages. When I called him there would be no answer.”

In 2015, Ms Shorten went to Bloomsbury Place, hoping to see her brother.

But she was told by a neighbour he had moved to another flat near Brighton Station a few months ago.

She said: “The neighbour didn’t know the address. I called Ian’s phone but it was disconnected.

“I’ve tried a missing people’s helpline but they have such a long waiting list they haven’t called me back.

“Ian was homeless for many years and he was very ill at one point in his life.

“I’m really at a loss as to what to do. I wasn’t sure where to start looking.

“I just want to see him again and know he is safe and well.

“Ian and I always got on well. We both love music and had plenty of laughs. He loved listening to anything from classic to rock.

“He used to work as a security guard at the Brighton Centre and I used to go to music gigs there.

“Ian was born in Emsworth and he lived with my nan and grandad in Hangleton. We have the same mother but different fathers.”

Ms Shorten said she believed her brother is unlikely to have moved out of Sussex as he has always lived in the county. The siblings saw each other in 2004 at their mother’s funeral.

She added: “I really miss Ian and I hope whoever reads this can help keep an eye out for him. He is 5ft 11in, has blue eyes, and always wears a leather jacket.

“In the past, even if you didn’t hear from Ian for months he would still text at some point. But now it’s been too long.”

If anyone has any information about Ian, email news@theargus.co.uk.