Crimewatch re-launch appeal to find pensioner's killer

Newly enhanced CCTV footage is to be used on BBC's Crimewatch programme in a fresh attempt to find those responsible for the murder of a County Londonderry pensioner five years ago.

Norman Moffatt, 73, was fatally stabbed at the junction of Railway Road and Circular Road in Coleraine as he made his way home from a local newsagents on January 26, 2001.

Mr Moffatt died in hospital from his injuries two-months after the attack took place.

The incident was captured on closed circuit TV and new technology has enabled detectives to enhance the images in order to be used on the television programme.

A reconstruction of the murder will be screened on tonight's Crimewatch in a bid to encourage anyone with any information in relation to the murder to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Nigel Kyle has today said that he was confident that anyone who knew anything relating to Mr Moffatt's death and who watched the programme would want to come forward and help identify the killer.

He said: "There have been many advances in technology since the murder.

We have made significant progress with our inquiry and have also been able to enhance CCTV and photographic stills images, some of which will be shown for the first time tonight."

He continued: "There are people in Coleraine who know who carried out this brutal crime and it is time for them to come forward with that information, and time they stopped protecting the murderer."

DCI Kyle added that the Moffatt family deserved to have the case brought to an end.

Police have appealed for anyone with any information on the murder of Norman Moffatt to contact them on 0845 600 8000 or anonymously on the Crimestoppers number on 0800 555 111.

(EF/GB)