A JUDGE has finally declared a Bolton man missing for nearly nine years to be officially dead.

The family of Norman Johnson, from Tonge Moor, last seen aged 70, had sought a final determination from the High Court.

Norman, a former dog trainer for Guide Dogs for the Blind, who had early on-set dementia, left a line-dancing class in Hindley.

And apart from confirmation he caught a train from Wigan to London Euston - and an ID check when he could not pay his fare - he has never been heard of since.

His brother Ronald Johnson, through lawyers, made a claim under the Presumption of Death Act which has now been resolved.

In a ruling just released, Judge Paul Matthews said Norman could officially be presumed dead as of 11.30am on February 5, when he heard the final evidence into his case.

Judge Matthews said: “Since I am satisfied that he is dead, but uncertain at what moment Norman died after his disappearance until the hearing (when, on the assessment of the evidence, I was satisfied that he had died), I must include a finding that he is presumed to have died at the time of my decision.

“I do not regard this as according with common sense. But in my judgment it at least accords with what the law requires of me, and at the hearing I made an order containing a declaration accordingly.”

Norman lived with his civil partner Colin Sweeney, at the time, who died in December 2017, the court heard.

The judge said the date of Norman’s death affected whether Colin, or now his estate, would be entitled to the benefit of a joint tenancy in their house, or Ronald Johnson and a third brother, Brian.

If it was before the end of the tenancy, the benefit would go to Colin’s estate. Otherwise the brothers would be entitled under the laws governing intestacy.

Several police appeals were issued following Norman’s disappearance and were reported by The Bolton News.

Six weeks after his London train journey, his partner received a letter with a £200 demand for his train fare.

Colin told The Bolton News then that he believed Norman had become confused about where he had parked his car, after the dancing class.

He did manage to speak to him, around 11.30pm on the night he went missing, and discovered he was walking to Hindley.

Colin asked him to call for a taxi but the conversation ended and the police were later alerted. Because of his illness, he had no credit card and Colin managed his finances. Norman also did not have any of his medication when he went missing.