London’s Metropolitan Police Department has initiated a search for Paul Pengelly, a Sudbury resident reported missing after his last sighting at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London Hotel on Thursday night. The family has expressed deep concern as Pengelly has been out of contact since that evening.
According to an urgent Instagram post, Pengelly’s disappearance has raised alarms among friends and family members. His belongings, including clothes and his car, were found at the hotel, with no indication of his whereabouts. Despite efforts, he failed to check out the following morning. Gemma, a concerned friend, implores anyone with information to reach out to her, the police, or Pengelly’s family, emphasizing that even the smallest detail could be crucial in locating him.
The situation takes a poignant turn with prior legal involvement. Earlier this year, 32-year-old Pengelly faced legal consequences after a night of drinking in Sudbury. He collided with The Maldon Grey bar’s wall, attracting police attention due to a broken brake light on his Ford Focus.
In a high-speed pursuit along Cats Lane, Pengelly, under the influence, accelerated to 60 mph—twice the speed limit—causing £1,000 in damages. Upon his arrest, tests revealed a high blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 112 mg/100 ml and traces of cocaine in his system. Court proceedings revealed Pengelly’s guilt in charges related to driving under the influence, driving without insurance, and possession of class A drugs.
Sammie Bailey-Peel Obj posted on Facebook,
“MISSING PERSONPlease, please can people share this post.My friend’s brother, Paul Pengelly, has gone missing from the Westminster area. Last seen yesterday on a night out.His phone is off. His clothes and car are still at his hotel and he did not arrive to check out this morning. He has not been arrested, nor is he in any surrounding hospitals.His family are beside themselves and need to know he is safe. Someone will know something.Please do contact Gemma, myself or the police if you have any information. No matter how small, any bit of information could help find him.Thank you kindly in advance!”
The court learned that Pengelly’s intoxication was triggered by distressing news about a family member’s health. Furthermore, an unsettling revelation emerged during the legal proceedings: the insurance Pengelly’s wife had been paying for was for an incorrect vehicle.
Consequently, Pengelly received a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, along with a three-year driving ban, as per the Suffolk Magistrates’ Court ruling on July 9.
This incident, layered with Pengelly’s disappearance, underscores the urgency in finding him and sheds light on a broader context that led to his troubled situation.
