Capital Reports - Wirral

27 June 2016, 07:25 | Updated: 25 July 2016, 06:21

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MUM OF MURDERED AIGBURTH MAN RE-APPEALS FOR HELP TO CATCH KILLER

Merseyside Police are today, Monday 25 July, reissuing an appeal for information about the murder of 30-year-old Richard Clayton on the 15th anniversary of his death. 

Richard, was fatally shot just before 8pm on July 25, 2001, on Belgrave Road, Aigburth. It is believed that prior to his death, in the afternoon, he had been training in a gymnasium on the corner of Belgrave Road and Aigburth Road. He left the gym for a few hours but returned to Belgrave Road in the evening and was seen talking on the phone outside just before 8pm. 

Around this time a green Ford Mondeo with two men on board drove into Belgrave Road from Aigburth Road. A male wearing a mask got out of the vehicle and approached Richard with a gun. Richard, who is also known as Richie, then ran down Belgrave Road pursued by his attackers. Several shots were fired at him and he ran to a house on Belgrave Road in a bid to escape but collapsed and died.

Two males were seen to leave the scene in a green Ford Mondeo that was later set alight in Buckland Street, near to the footbridge at St Michael’s railway station. The two males are believed to have run over the railway bridge towards St Michael’s station and into an area of parkland called Priory Woods. 

The killers have never been brought to justice. 

Richie's mum Linda said: "Someone out there knows who is responsible for my son's murder. I want to appeal directly to anyone who has any information, however small they think it is, to contact the police.

"I would ask those people who are responsible, or their family and friends who may have information, to search their consciences. How would you feel if this happened to your family? How would you feel if you were never given any sense of closure over the death of your son?

"It may not seem like much, but the information you have could prove vital to the investigation. We have been through 15 years of hell, but it's not too late to do the right thing, come forward and help put an end to this ordeal."

Detective Inspector Mike Leyland said: "Fifteen years is a long time for the family to have to suffer without finding out who was responsible for Richard’s death and having to deal with the knowledge that his killers have never been brought to justice.

"But a lot can change in this time. People watch their own children growing up and they may feel differently about what has happened. People’s loyalties can also change over time. 

"I would also appeal to anyone who was in the area of Belgrave Road or Aigburth Road on that evening who hasn’t already spoken to us to get in touch. I know it has been a long time but that night may have stuck in your mind and you may have information that could help us to track down Richard’s killers."

Anyone with information which could help with the enquiry is asked to contact Merseyside Police on 0151 777 8617 or the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111