The family of Shaun James will be commemorating his life in Cinderford today (Thursday 15 December), 20 years after his murder shook the local community.
And officers are appealing for anyone with new information to come forward as they continue to seek justice for the family.
Shaun was 32 when he was run over in a lane off Steam Mills Road in Cinderford on the evening of 15 December 2002.
Police who investigated the case at the time believed the incident was a hit and run traffic collision but were unable to identify the driver.
In 2014 a cold case review of all forensic and witness evidence, using the benefit of new technology and investigative techniques, together with information that had come to light over the years, led to it being reclassified as murder.
Shaun was drinking at the Upper Bilson Inn in Cinderford on 15 December 2002. He left at around 6.45pm and was walking home in the opposite direction to Steam Mills Road. He was last spotted talking to the driver of a white Ford Transit type van in Valley Road.
It is believed something happened there between Shaun and the driver of the van – an argument, altercation or something resulting in Shaun’s shoe and tobacco being separated from him and left on the road. He was then taken in the van to the lane off Steam Mills Road where he was deliberately run over and killed.
Shaun was caught underneath the underside of the vehicle and dragged some 65 metres along the lane before he became free and remained in the lane until his lifeless body was found just after 7pm. Shortly before this there was a further sighting of a white Ford Transit type van leaving the lane at speed.
A Crimewatch appeal was broadcast in December 2002, generating over 30 calls, and CCTV of the white van believed to be involved was issued the same month.
In 2015 five people were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit Shaun’s murder but later released without charge.
Now officers are appealing again for information.
Detective Inspector Paula Hannaford said: “The family feels the heartache of their loss every day but especially so each Christmas and 20 years is far too long to wait for justice.
“As police we have never given up hope of securing the key evidence that can help us bring people to court – over 1500 actions were carried out as part of our original enquiries – but now we need new information.
“We don’t need rumours people have heard over the years, we need first-hand information about what happened or first-hand information about those people involved. If you’re worried about your safety we can reassure you of measures that can be put in place for you to support a prosecution.
“Shaun’s murder was unimaginably callous and now, 20 years later, my hope is that allegiances have changed and someone may feel able to provide evidence that could bring people to justice. If you have that information, I urge you to help us give the family a measure of closure and come forward.”
Shaun’s son Jesse James said: “It’s been 20 years since my dad was killed and seven since the case was last appealed.
“We know there are people still in the community that know something about what happened to him. Whatever reasons people have had not to come forward, we hope that the circumstances have changed enough over the course of time, particularly over the last few years, to give them the courage to do the right thing.
“People have died, relationships ended, loyalties changed and I would urge people to consider how it feels for our family not to know what happened, put yourself in our shoes and do the right thing and come forward.”
Shaun’s daughter Layla James said: “Every year that passes gets harder. My eldest child is the same age as I was when my dad was killed. I lived nearly my whole life wondering who could have killed my dad, I need answers, there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t miss my dad. I didn’t even get the chance to make him proud of me.
“So much has happened he will never get to meet his grandchildren and that kills me every single day. Please if you know anything that may bring justice for my dad please say. 20 years have passed, that’s nearly my whole life of missing my dad, he deserves justice as do we all.”
Shaun’s stepdaughter Laura Brownson said: “When the case reopened some seven plus years ago, arrests happened. This had an ongoing domino effect on our lives. Friendships were affected and lost. Life was literally never the same.
“This could have been avoided. It was a second chance for certain people to grow a conscience. Both cases went on for a number of years, the guilt must have been horrific. Or was it… instead of this, we were all left to suffer, yet again. It’s been 20 years! It’s high time you came forward!”
Anyone with information about the case can call a special incident room on 01452 754270 during the following hours (outside of these hours please call 101). You can quote incident 139 of 15 December:
Thursday 15 December: 1200-2000 hours
Friday 16 December: 0800-1800 hours
