'Shattered life' of victim's widow

Mr Trotter died after being set alight

The widow of a man who was doused in petrol and burned to death has spoken of how her life has been "shattered" .

Wayne Trotter was set alight just yards from his home in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, as he returned from work.

His pregnant widow Ann appealed for anyone with information about the murder to come forward.

In her first statement since Mr Trotter's death, she said: "I have lost my husband, my soul mate, my best friend and the father of my children."

It was heartbreaking listening to our son James calling out for his daddy

Ann Trotter

She said: "My whole life was shattered on 5 December, and there is a big gap that can never be filled.

"I can only plead with anyone out there who had any information no matter how insignificant to come forward so that no-one else ever has to suffer in this way."

Mrs Trotter, who has a three-year-old son James, is seven months pregnant with their second child.

"Christmas Day was a very long day.

"It was heartbreaking listening to our son James calling out for his daddy," she said.

Local community

"The whole family missed Wayne, who always cooked Christmas dinner."

Hertfordshire police are still receiving information about the death, but detectives believe there are people in the local community who know who is responsible.

Detective Superintendent Steve Read, who is leading the investigation, said: "There may be many reasons why those with information are not coming forward.

"Maybe they were present at the time of the attack and fear they will be punished too.

'Wrong place'

"They must come forward and tell us what they know."

Mr Trotter, who worked at a plastics factory in Hendon, north London, was described as a devoted family man with no known enemies who was "in the wrong place at the wrong time".

Police said that two teenagers who were arrested and questioned over the attack in December were later released without charge.

Anyone with information should ring the incident room on 01707 354236 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on freephone 0800 555111.