New Search For Portsmouth Sailor's Killer

9 October 2013, 07:34 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Police have started a new search to find the killer of a Portsmouth-based sailor, eight years ago.

The 22-year-old was on shore leave and out with friends in Liverpool city centre during the early hours of Saturday 24 September 2005, when he was attacked.

Anthony and his friends had gone into the Walkabout bar in Concert Square and whilst he was in there he accidentally knocked into a man who he didn't know. This resulted in a drink being thrown at Anthony.

At about 1.45am Anthony and his friends were leaving the bar when they were confronted by a group of men, which included the man who Anthony had bumped into earlier. One of this group punched Anthony causing him to fall to the floor. He was taken to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and was then transferred to the specialist Walton Neurological Centre where he died on 5 October 2005.

Detective Superintendent Mark Guinness, said:

"It is now eight years since Anthony was attacked in the city centre and I am determined to find the person responsible for Anthony's death.

"Anthony was a young man from a loving family who had everything to live for and Friday 4 October 2013 would have been his 30th birthday. In July this year to honour Anthony in the year that he should have turned 30 the family held a charity fundraising evening and donated the money in Anthony's name to Cancer Research and Macmillan Cancer Support.

"Instead of celebrating his mum, Pat, and his brothers and sisters are still finding it difficult to come to terms with his tragic and premature death. Anthony's family cannot rest until the person responsible for Anthony's death is brought to justice and I would appeal to anyone who has information to come forward so that we can do the right thing by Anthony's family.

"I would particularly like to appeal to two men who called the incident room the day after the assault, but terminated their call part way through. I believe they may have vital information about those responsible which could help us give Anthony's mum, Pat, and her family some closure.

"If anyone has information, but is worried about coming forward, then I can assure them that we have special measures which can be put in place to ensure the utmost confidentiality."

Anthony's mum, Pat Cavanagh, added:

"As the years go by, the pain of our loss doesn't go away, especially this year on what would have been a special birthday for Anthony, his 30th.

"This year we held a charity fundraising event and managed to raise £1800 in Anthony's memory for two very worthwhile charities."

Anyone who has any information which could help the detectives with their inquiries can contact Merseyside Police's St Anne Street CID on 0151 777 4064, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.