A Highland League footballer who went missing for more than a week is now under arrest.
Richard Finnis, 30, is receiving treatment in Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, after being traced by police with sniffer dogs to the Bunchrew area, a few miles outside the Highland capital.
A full-scale land, river and air search was launched last Monday after his blue Citroen car was found abandoned in Glen Affric, some 26 miles from where he was last seen in Kinmylies, Inverness.
Missing Highland footballer Richard Finnis traced safe and well by police dogs
He is believed to have been living rough and to have become ill through drinking contaminated water.
Police said yesterday the 30-year-old had been arrested but not yet been charged.
Mr Finnis was reported missing on Saturday, February 17, after failing to show up for a Highland League game that afternoon.
His disappearance coincided with his former partner and mother of his four -year -old son, Helen Gallacher, suffering stabbing injuries at her home shortly after 1.10pm in Kinmylies Way.
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Police confirmed that Ms Gallacher’s injuries were serious.
Two teams of police officers, two police sniffer dogs and handlers along with the coastguard helicopter were used during the day last week to search for the missing footballer.
Mr Finnis’ blue Citroen C3, registration SD18 WKE, was found at around 9.30pm on Monday, February 18.
Witnesses said the area in which the car was abandoned was on a quiet unlisted road in Glen Affric near the River Glass. They said the car was hidden from sight.
The footballer, who plays in defence for Strathspey Thistle, joined the North Caledonian League outfit Inverness Athletic on loan from his parent club in December.
He was called back to the Strathspey fold towards the end of January.
Hundreds of people took to social media to express their relief after the news that Mr Finnis had been traced.
Detective Inspector Eddie Ross said: “We are very grateful to the public for their support and assistance with enquiries into this incident.”
