Tearful appeal for missing 14-year-old school girl from Oldham who may have gone to Spain with a man

Missing: Camilia Lupu

THE parents of a missing 14-year-old girl from Oldham have made an emotional plea for her safe return, amid fears she may have travelled to Spain with a 37-year-old man.

Camilia Lupu was last seen at her home in Villa Road, Hathershaw, at around 6.30pm on Friday, June 26.

Police believe she is travelling with Alin Coman, a 37-year-old Romanian national who is wanted by Greater Manchester Police for child abduction.

On the two week anniversary of her disappearance, her parents, Gheorghe and Lina Lupu, held a press conference with GMP today and appealed for her to get in touch.

In a tearful appeal, Mr Lupu, speaking through an interpreter said: "The last two weeks have been very difficult for us.

"We do not know how much longer we can bear this situation.

"We miss her so much and want our child to return home safely.

"If she is hearing this appeal, we would like her to know that we love her and we want her to come back home."

Mr Lupu added that his daughter, one of the Romanian couple's eight children, believes she is in a relationship with Coman, a man who is known in the local Romanian community.

He said: "She is a very wise child, a very loving child.

"We don't know what happened.

"We think he may have charmed her."

Detective Inspector Mark McDowall said the police are working with agencies abroad, including police forces and Interpol, in their search for Camilia.

He said: "Camilia's parents are extremely worried and pleading for her safe return.

"We believe that Camilia and this wanted man, Alin Coman, are currently in Spain, but that has not yet been confirmed.

"First and foremost we would like Camilia to contact us so that we know she is safe and well, but obviously we are doing everything we can to get her back home as quickly as we can.

"If Camilia herself can see or hear this appeal, then I would like to reassure her that she is not in any trouble, but please contact either the police or her family so we know she is ok.

"Alternatively, if you believe you saw either Camilia or Alin Coman in the last two weeks, please contact police as a matter of urgency."

Camilia, a Hathershaw College pupil, is described as around 4ft 7in tall, of slim build with long dark hair and brown eyes.

She was last seen wearing her school uniform with a black skirt and black leather jacket over the top.

Coman is described as white, Romanian, around 5ft 11in tall, slim build with short, dark receding hair and a mole in the middle of his forehead.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.