No joy after murder appeal in Thames Valley

14 April 2011, 05:00

Heart's found out a family's appeal for new information over a man's death hasn't thrown up any new leads for the police.

The family of a man killed in the Thames Valley SEVEN years ago are travelling to south Wales today to hand out a thousand leaflets - hoping to get information  that'll track down whoever is responsible for his death.

29 year old Kevin Lavelle was assaulted at the Cricketers Pub in Banbury in June 2004 - it's thought people from Pontypridd were there when it happened. Back in March, his family travelled to the South Wales town to hand out leaflet - hoping to get information that'll track down whoever is responsible for his death.

They also made this YouTube appeal:

Det Insp Steve Duffy, leading the investigation, said: “It has nearly been seven years since Kevin Lavelle was murdered at The Cricketers, Grimsbury, Banbury, in 2004.

“I want to make it clear that the investigation will not stop until we find whoever is responsible.

“There were people from the Pontypridd area of Wales in the pub on the evening of the murder who could be key witnesses. Members from the ‘Families Fighting For Justice Group’ will be going to Wales to speak to residents and distribute leaflets in an appeal for information.

“I am keen to keep this investigation active, and fresh in people’s minds. I believe that as time has passed, allegiances and friendships have changed, and I am sure that someone outside of the group now knows who did this to Kevin.

“This is the last chance for anyone who knows anything to come forward and speak to me. If you come forward now I can assure you, I will treat you sympathetically and with respect. However, if I find out that anyone is holding back information then I will be making arrests. If anyone is found guilty of perverting the course of justice it can result in a lengthy prison sentence.

“I hope that by the family visiting Wales it makes it clear to anyone who knows anything that the suffering won’t go away. Not knowing who did this to Kevin is affecting the family, and the guilt of knowing who killed Kevin, will always play on someone’s conscience. Now is the time to move on. Come forward for both your own sake and that of the family.

“A reward is being offered by Thames Valley Police of £20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible of Mr Lavelle’s death. The justice for Kevin Lavelle fund has matched this, to make the total reward £30,000.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Thames Valley Police on 0845 8 505 505. If you don’t want to speak to police and don’t want to leave your name contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.