Ian Newtion murder, reward offered as police post billboard: Greenford
(UB6 - Tuesday, 30 June, 2009)

Officers investigating the murder of Ian Newtion have taken the unusual step of appealing for information on a billboard at the scene of the murder in Greenford.

The appeal will be displayed for approximately two weeks from the 30th June.

Witness appeal boards, local newspaper adverts and a 30,000 leaflet drop will be done in the surrounding area in an attempt to trace anyone who has information that will help the enquiry, but has not previously spoken to police.

Detective Chief Inspector Lee Presland of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command said:

"The local community have been very co-operative with our investigation but the Greenford Roundabout is an extremely busy area with routes leading in and out of London.

"It is possible that someone who was travelling through the area on Sunday 22nd March, particularly someone who may have been on their way to visit relatives as it was Mothering Sunday, may have witnessed something but not realised what has happened.

"I would ask those people to speak to us in the strictest of confidence"

A £20,000 reward is on offer for information leading to the identification, arrest and prosecution of person/s responsible for the murder.

Officers would also like to hear from anyone who saw Ian leave 'The Scout Hut' in Rockware Avenue where he was singing at approximately 07:45 or on the Greenford Road in the area of the roundabout.

Was he walking? Was he on his own? Or was he given a lift by someone?

He was last seen alive by a jogger at the subway exit at approximately 07:55 and was described as looking agitated.

He was wearing dark trousers, trainers and a dark jacket; he was also wearing a black rag-du (headscarf) on his head.

Just before the last sighting of Ian, a group were seen in the area under the roundabout where the various subway exits converge. They are described as possibly being a group of black males aged between

16-20 years old, as they were wearing hooded tops it is not possible to be definite about their ethnicity. Police are keen to speak to this group, or anyone who saw them, as they might hold information vital to the enquiry.

Ian had received a fatal wound to the throat from a broken beer bottle, and a possible robbery motive is a line of enquiry although none of Ian's personal property was missing when he was found. In the week

preceding the murder a small number of robberies, where bottles were used as a weapon, were reported in neighbouring areas.

Officers would like to speak to anyone who knows who has been committing these robberies, or if they were present at a robbery that went too far.

It is also possible that the suspect would have sustained a hand injury from the neck of the bottle, which was smashed in the assault.

Anyone who has had a loved one come home with an unexplained injury, or covered in blood, or come home late on Mother's Day acting strangely, is asked to call the inquiry team.

Anyone with any information should contact the incident room on 020 8358 0400.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Note: on 25 March two men [A/B] were arrested in connection with the inquiry; they were subsequently de-arrested. On 2 April a boy [C - 16 ys] and a man [D - 18 ys] were arrested on suspicion of murder. 'C' was bailed to return and later released with no further action; 'D' was released with no further action.On 30 April there were a further 10 arrests on suspicion of murder - [E - 15 years], [F - 17 years], [G - 14 years], [H - 15 years], [I - 15 years], [J - 17 years], [K - 14 years], [L - 16 years], [M - 15 years], [N - 15 years]. All were taken to west London police stations and were later bailed to return pending further inquiries - next due July.

During May two men [O - 21 ys; P - 19 ys] were arrested in connection with the investigation and later bailed to return pending further inquiries - next due July.

Police Force: Metropolitan (London)

Address:
Greenford Roundabout
Greenford
Middlesex
UB6