A team of detectives from Thames Valley Police will be visiting South Wales on Friday 21 December as they continue to appeal for information   following the murder of Kevin Lavelle in Banbury, Oxfordshire. [21 December 2012]

Det Insp Steve Duffy, leading the investigation, is available for interview/photo opportunities throughout the day (21/12) and will be issuing regular updates through Twitter @TVP_Banbury.

Thames Valley Police is continuing its appeal for information following the death of Kevin Lavelle who was attacked in the Cricketer’s Pub, Grimsbury, Banbury, over eight years ago, in June 2004.

An inquest, which was opened on 24 March 2009 at Oxford Coroners’ Court, determined that Mr Lavelle, aged 29 and a father-of-two from Bootle, Merseyside, died as a result of the injuries he sustained during the attack.

Det Insp Steve Duffy, leading the investigation, said: “A reward of £10,000 is being offered by Thames Valley Police for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for Mr Lavelle’s death. The justice for Kevin Lavelle fund has matched this, to make the total reward £20,000, but we also now have an enhanced reward of £5,000 from the charity Crimestoppers for anyone who would prefer to give information anonymously.

“There were people from the Pontypridd area of Wales in the pub at the time Kevin was killed who could be key witnesses, and I also know there are people in the local Banbury area who are aware of what happened that night and I need anyone who knows anything, to come forward now.

“This is the last chance for anyone with information to come forward, no matter how insignificant you believe the information to be.

“If we find out that anyone has withheld evidence or deliberately hindered the investigation I will recommend that they are severely dealt with, and I am sure the guilt of knowing this information will never go away.  We need to work together to help bring some closure to Kevin’s family, especially at this time of year.”

Julia Hughes, Crimestoppers Projects Co-ordinator for Thames Valley, said: “This unsolved crime has left Mr Lavelle’s family devastated and they deserve to know who is responsible for his murder.

“Crimes like this should not go unpunished, so we are urging the public to contact Crimestoppers anonymously with any information that will help bring the person(s) responsible for this assault to justice. We don’t want to know who you are, only what you know.”

Det Insp Duffy added: “Why not let 2013 be a fresh start? I would like to ask everyone to think back to the night of the England versus Portugal Euro 2004 match when Kevin was killed at The Cricketer’s pub in Grimsbury, Banbury and if you, or anyone you know was in the area at the time, or you have any information,  come forward. You can speak to me directly.

“I will be using Twitter to keep you updated as I travel to Wales and also as the investigation progresses. So follow @TVP_Banbury on Twitter, and if you have any questions you can send them through to me on Twitter, or contact me on my mobile 07800 703285.”

If you have any information on this crime and would like to remain anonymous please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through the secure online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Thames Valley Police have a £20,000 reward on offer for the conviction of the person(s) responsible for this murder, but to qualify for the Crimestoppers reward, information must come through the charity’s anonymous 0800 555 111 number.

Anyone with information about the incident can contact the Det Insp Steve Duffy at Thames Valley Police directly on 07800 703285.