Colchester News, Colchester Sport, Leisure and local information from The Gazette

Clacton: Doorman murder appeal - 10 years on

From the archive, first published Thursday 16th Nov 2006.

Detectives have vowed to continue the search for the killers of a Clacton doorman who was murdered ten years ago.

Gary Chick was 40 when he was killed by a group of masked men as he walked with his girlfriend, Rosalind Vaughan, near to the Venetian Bridge by Clacton's seafront gardens on November 18, 1996.

Mr Chick, who lived in Kingsman Drive, Clacton, died a short time later from head injuries inflicted by at least one blunt instrument.

The door steward, who was described by friends as a "gentle giant", worked at the town's Tom Pepper's pub in Pier Avenue and had been on duty shortly before the fatal attack, which happened at 2.50am.

Now, on the tenth anniversary of his death, police have renewed an appeal for information.

A spokesman for Essex police said: "The passage of time makes it no less important that Mr Chick's attackers are brought to justice.

family

Following an initial investigation a man was charged with murder, but was acquitted in Decembe, 1999.

Anyone with information is asked to call Stanway major investigations team on 01206 762122 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.