Family appeal for help to find killer

Aug 7 2007 by Caroline Innes, Liverpool Daily Post

THE devastated family of murdered father Thoman Harrison have paid tribute to “the most precious person” in their lives.

Friends and family of the 29-year-old gathered last night at the spot where he was stabbed through the heart at 2.30am on Sunday.

Around 50 close family and friends met in Edinburgh Drive , on Huyton’s St John’s estate, for an emotional tribute to Mr Harrison’s life.

Police said that they had a presence in the area at the time to monitor events but the celebration of his life passed off peacefully.

The family of Mr Harrison issued this statement: “Anyone with an information on the death of our Tommy, please, please do not hesitate to contact the police.

“We all are devastated - the whole family and community.

“We have lost the most precious person in our life, our family will never, ever be the same again."

Police remain certain people in the St John's Estate hold the key to finding the killers of the father-of-one.

They said while they are following a number of lines of inquiry as to possible suspects, they would not confirm the names which have so far been provided by residents in Huyton.

But they did reveal that they now have information that two – possibly three men – could be implicated in the brutal knife attack and that they fled the scene in a car being driven by another individual.

Mr Harrison died in hospital after being assaulted at approximately 2.30am after attending the birthday party at nearby St John’s social club with his girlfriend.

It is thought that, as he walked from there along Edinburgh Drive, he was approached by two men. There was an exchange of words before he was stabbed and police believe the victim knew who his attackers were.

Detectives said the offenders were in the company of others before the incident and then left the scene in a car with other occupants on board.

Detective Chief Inspector Martin Andrew said: “I would like to thank the local community for the help they have given us so far.

“We firmly believe that the answer to this dreadful murder lies locally and I would urge any witnesses to come forward as a matter of urgency.

“Tommy was not given a chance to save himself and had done nothing to deserve being set upon in such a brutal way.

“His family are acutely feeling his loss and we are working hard to find those responsible.

“Tommy’s attackers must be caught and it is clear that local people would not want anyone to help them hide away.

“There will have been a number of people in the area at the time of the incident, and I believe there are still people who have not yet spoken to us who have significant information which will help us further our investigation.

“I would particularly appeal to those people who were with the offenders before the incident. It’s possible that they did not know what was just about to unfold and I believe they would not want to associate themselves with people who could attack an innocent man in this way.

“I would ask them to search their consciences and tell us what they know.

“It’s possible, too, that those people in the car which drove the offender away may not have realised the seriousness of what had taken place. I would say to them, a man has died and you should not seek to protect those responsible.

“This is the time to come forward and tell us what you know. “

ANY witnesses and anyone with any information are asked to contact Kirkby CID on 0151 777 6565 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.