Grimson: Serving life for murder

Serving on the ship at the same time was petty officer Allan Grimson, who was jailed for life last week after admitting the murders of naval rating Nicholas Wright, 18, from Leicestershire and barman Sion Jenkins, 20, from Newbury.

Both men had been tortured and bludgeoned to death in Portsmouth, Hampshire.

Royal Gibraltar Police have appealed for information surrounding Mr Parkes' disappearance and said, depending on what comes to light, they could consider travelling to the UK to question Grimson.

Mr Parkes was last seen leaving the Horseshoe bar in Gibraltar to get something to eat, according to the police.

Someone fitting his description was then seen drunk at a nearby naval function inside the Fleet Pavilion at the Hole in the Wall pub.

He had left his passport, possessions and Christmas presents for his family on the ship and had written to his parents saying he would be home for Christmas.

Appeal

Superintendent James Mckay said police in Gibraltar would join forces with Hampshire police, who carried out the original investigation into Grimson.

He said: "We appeal to any of Simon Parkes' colleagues who were with him on the night he disappeared and also any person who was at the bars or Fleet Pavilion to contact the police.

"We request that any persons serving on board HMS Illustrious in December 1986 contact us."

Mr Parkes parents, Dave and Margaret, backed the appeal.

Mrs Parkes said: "It's been 15 long years for us. In the first few years we hoped Simon might have contacted us by after a while we lost that feeling.

"We really want to know what happened to him."

Anyone with information should contact Hampshire Police on 0239 289 9065.