Police appeal to Scottish witness

Damilola Taylor bled to death in a stairwell

Police hunting the killer of Damilola Taylor have repeated their appeal for help from a man with a Scottish accent.

The man, who has previously called the Crimestoppers hotline about the murder of the schoolboy in London, is thought to have been close to the murder scene.

It is six-months since the fatal stabbing of the 10-year-old, and Det Chief Insp Trevor Shepherd, the senior investigating officer, said: "I still want the man with the Scottish accent who rang Crimestoppers to ring us again and I would appeal to him directly."

He added: "If there is any reason why you've been reluctant to ring us thus far, I can promise you that anything you tell us will be discussed in confidence and we will be very discreet.

I believe that we have a fairly good idea now of what went on the day that Damilola was killed

DCI Trevor Shepherd

"A man with a Scottish accent did ring in to Crimestoppers in Scotland and it is quite clear from what he said that he was quite close to the scene.

"I have also had evidence from a witness who was in the vicinity of the actual incident who talked about a man with a Scottish accent being there as well.

"I believe that this man has got some useful information. He may not realise that himself.

"He may think that he didn't really see anything and think that he hasn't anything to say but I can assure that man that because of his close proximity to the actual incident he will have information that will be useful to us and I would appeal to him to come forward and talk to me."

DCI Shepherd said "significant progress" had been made in the investigation to find the killers of Damilola, who bled to death in a stairwell in Peckham, south London, after a confrontation with a gang.

"I believe that we have a fairly good idea now of what went on the day that Damilola was killed," he said.

He urged the man to ring the incident room on 020 8247 4567.