Family's hope of finding killers

Gary Chick died of head injuries after being attack in Clacton

The family of a Clacton man who was murdered seven years ago have said they will not give up hope of his killers being found.

Gary Chick was 40 years old when he was attacked by a group of masked men as he walked with his girlfriend along the seafront near Clacton Pier at 0250 GMT on 18 November 1996.

He died a short while later from head injuries which Essex Police said were inflicted by a blunt instrument.

A man was charged with Mr Chick's murder but was acquitted in 1999 and the hunt to find the murderers continues with his family's support.

Mr Chick's daughter, Jenny, said she, her sisters Laura and Roxanne, and her mother Lesley, would never give up hope.

We all still miss him so much and will never be able to rest until those responsible for my father's brutal murder are brought to justice Gary Chick's daughter, Jenny

"It is seven years since my father was murdered and not a day goes by without us thinking about him," she said.

"You hope it will get easier after time but if anything it is harder now we are older.

"Laura and I are now married and although we tried to enjoy the weddings we couldn't help but feel sad that dad couldn't be there.

"It is also heartbreaking that he will never get to meet my son or Roxanne's daughter."

She added: "We all still miss him so much and will never be able to rest until those responsible for my father's brutal murder are brought to justice."

Mr Chick had been a door steward at the town's Tom Pepper's pub in Pier Avenue and had been on duty shortly before the fatal attack.

Essex Police have made a new appeal to the people of Clacton to come forward with any information they have about the murder and not to be deterred by the length of time which has passed.