Murder inquiry drivers traced

Peter Beaumont Gowling was shot at his home in Jesmond

Detectives investigating the murder of a Newcastle businessman have traced two key vehicles more than two years after the killing.

Peter Beaumont Gowling, 52, was gunned down in his flat in Osborne Road, Jesmond, shortly after 1400 BST on Valentine's Day, 2001.

Detective Superintendent Derek Storey, who is leading the enquiry, said they had found two vehicles they had been hunting from the outset.

He said they had now interviewed and eliminated the driver of a blue Ford Transit and the driver of a blue/green Range Rover seen in the area shortly before the shooting.

They were traced following detailed analysis of CCTV footage by video experts.

I'm confident we will ultimately catch those responsible for the murder of Peter Beaumont Gowling Det Supt Derek Storey

A total of 500 blue Transit vans and over 180 Range Rovers were traced and eliminated during the course of the enquiry.

Mr Storey said: "This has been a very complex and difficult investigation because of the lifestyle of Mr Gowling which has generated hundreds of enquiries across Britain and overseas.

"Now that we have traced the vehicles and interviewed the drivers the investigation is much more focused.

"I'm confident we will ultimately catch those responsible for the murder of Peter Beaumont Gowling.

"However, we still need the public's help in tracing a white Transit-size van which was travelling in Sanderson Road behind the blue van we have now traced.

"We are not certain what make it is but it could be a Ford, Mercedes or Fiat and may have had minor body damage to the nearside rear wheel arch area."