The devastated mother of a teenage boy who disappeared more than 20 years ago has revealed his last words to her as police announce that they have arrested a man and woman over the disappearance.  

Robert Williams told his mother Cheryl ‘I am off out mam, see you later’ as the 15-year-old left home in Resolven, Neath in March 2002.

Tragically, the teenager vanished, leaving his mother heartbroken and longing for a breakthrough in the case.

Now, more than 20 years after Robert vanished, South Wales Police have said that they have arrested a 59-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man on Tuesday morning in connection with the mystery disappearance. The pair have since been released on bail.

Robert Williams told his mother Cheryl ‘I am off out mam, see you later’ as the 15-year-old left home in Resolven, Neath in March 2002

Speaking to BBC ‘s Crimewatch Live, Cheryl revealed: ‘The morning Robert went missing was just like any other morning. He said: ‘I am off out mam, see you later”

Speaking to BBC’s Crimewatch Live, Cheryl revealed: ‘The morning Robert went missing was just like any other morning. He said: ‘I am off out mam, see you later’ and he looked so happy going around the corner. Just every day I think about that because that is the last time I have ever seen him.’

She added: ‘He was a character – he always made you laugh. He loved his sport. He was never without a ball, a rugby ball or a football, he just loved everything about it.’

The arrests follow a re-appeal from police earlier this month on what would have been Robert’s 37th birthday.

Detective Inspector Dai Butt said: ‘All outstanding missing person cases remain open and are revisited periodically in case new evidence comes to light. We remain committed to finding out what happened to Robert.

Police released this image in 2010 showing what Robert would have then looked like, right

‘I believe that the local community of Aberdulais holds key information that might help us understand what happened to him. It is known that Robert attended a house party in Tair Felin, Aberdulais on Saturday 23rd March 2002 where other local people were present. 

‘If you were at the party or have any information regarding Robert’s movements or disappearance, we would really like to speak to you. It may seem challenging to recall details from 21 years ago, but no matter how small or insignificant you think the information you hold is, it could prove vital to our investigation and could help provide Robert’s family with much needed closure.

‘All this time without answers has been agony for them – please if you hold information, it is not too late after all this time to come forward.’