The killer of a dad-of-one who was fatally stabbed outside his home remains at large.
Colin Hughes was killed at the back of his house in Baden Road in Old Swan on September 21, 2010 after he went to investigate a noise at around 12.50am. Emergency services were called to the house shortly before 1am following reports the 42-year-old had been stabbed in the chest.
His heartbroken fiancé Paula Greenwood cradled Colin until an ambulance arrived, but he died shortly after from a single stab wound in hospital. Paula previously spoke to the ECHO back in 2018 and described him as a loving dad.
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She said: "I still love him and I will never, ever forget him. He was a kind, gentle man, who loved his children - his daughter Ellie and stepson James.
"My daughter and son thought of him as a dad too. He was always on the go, the type to get up out of bed, have breakfast and be out the door. n all the years we were together there was never any hassle, he was just a lovely man."
Colin was affectionately known by friends as “Yosser” – after the character in Boys from the Black Stuff. He was described as a hard-working family man who "loved his children". He was well known in Old Swan, where he lived, grew up and worked as a chef.
In the last decade, 10 people were arrested and questioned in connection with the murder. However, no-one has been charged and Colin's killer has still not been brought to justice.
In recent years, detectives reviewing the case have concentrated on two appeal points - a white man, 5ft 10 in tall, of slim build, wearing a dark coloured tracksuit, who was seen in the alleyway behind Mr Hughes’ home just prior to his death. It is unclear if this is the man the much-loved chef heard making a noise and went to investigate, or someone separate.
Also, the previous evening, Mr Hughes spoke to the occupants of a dark coloured hatchback outside his home. Detectives are still appealing for anyone with information to come forward and said "no matter how small the piece of information is" it may "prove vital" to the investigation.
Merseyside Police have issued a new appeal asking for help from the community. Head of Merseyside Police’s Serious Case Review Unit Kevin Clague said: "I would like to take this opportunity to appeal once again to the community for their help with the investigation and would urge anyone with information to come forward either directly to the force or anonymously through Crimestoppers in the strictest of confidence. No matter how small the piece of information is, it may prove vital to the investigation.
"We are committed to finding those responsible for the death of Mr Hughes and bringing them to justice.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Merseyside Police on 0151 777 8449, @MerPolCC, 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or report online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously with crime reference 19100038615.
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