Murdered Sharon Malone's grieving father is to visit his grandchildren in Spain for the first time since his son-in-law fled the country.

Harry Clinch will come face-to-face with murder suspect Garry Malone when he flies to Malaga later this month. He has not seen Mr Malone, 45, nor his grandsons Adam, six, and Robert, four, since they disappeared in January last year. Mrs Malone's battered body was found just weeks later.

Mr Clinch, 62, of Old Fold View, Barnet, said: "I feel it's finally right in my own mind to go out and see them. I have got to the stage where I can see him Garry Malone without losing my temper and saying things I will regret afterwards."

Mrs Malone, a 28-year-old trainee teacher, went missing from her home in Cranborne Crescent, Potters Bar, more than two years ago. No-one has been charged with her murder despite intensive inquiries.

Last week, on the anniversary of her disappearance, police renewed appeals for Mr Malone now living on the Costa del Sol under the pseudonym Ralphe Kirque to return to England. But his son by a previous marriage, Gareth Malone, said he was unlikely to return.

Mr Clinch, who lost his wife Betty to cancer just weeks before Sharon's disappearance, admitted he was nervous about the meeting.

"I'm not absolutely sure where they are but I will tell him where I'm staying and arrange to meet them," he said. "The boys have been asking when I was coming. They keep asking me to take their toys."

December 4, 2001 16:44

MATTHEW NIXSON