The dad of murdered partygoer Darren Birt has issued a heartbreaking appeal on Crimewatch as cops bid to find the men who killed his son 20 years on. Darren, 22, was found lying on the road in Calvay Place, Barlanark, with stab wounds in the early hours of Wednesday, August 28, 2002.
He was rushed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary but died from his injuries a short time later - with police still searching for his killer two decades later.
The investigation was relaunched by officers in March, with a £20,000 reward offered for information which could lead to arrests.
And on Friday morning, an episode of BBC's Crimewatch featured Darren's unsolved murder and showed CCTV footage from the night of his death.
It also featured an interview with his heartbroken dad Brian, who admitted the pain "never goes away" and says his death "tore the family apart".
He said: "No parent should bury their children. The pain never goes away, I need justice for Darren. He was my first born son and a lovely boy.
"All of my family died that day and it tore us all apart."
The night of his death, Darren had gone to a flat with friends to watch football and have a drink at a property on Burnmouth Road. Around 10pm an altercation broke out between Darren and one of the other men.
The host decided to throw the guests out of the party and the group dispersed onto Edinburgh road. CCTV footage released as part of the Crimewatch episode shows Darren buying food and drinks from a local fuel station shortly after.
He is approached by another man who challenges him over what had happened earlier in the night.
A fight breaks out between the two and Darren pushes the other man to the ground before returning to his friends who were gathered at a nearby bus stop. Three men then approach the group from Calvay Arch, with the first pulling what is believed to be a knife from his waistband before a second smashes a bottle over Darren's head.
Fleeing for his life, Darren was pursued by the three men onto Burnet Road and finally Calvay Place. Witnesses say Darren could be heard desperately banging on the door of a property as the assailants caught up and fatally wounded him.
Three men were charged over Darren's death at the time, but nobody was ever prosecuted, with the murder attracting little media coverage.
Detective Chief Inspector Lynsey Watters, who is leading the new investigation into Darren's death, said: "Darren was only 22-years-old when he was murdered on Wednesday, 28 August, 2002.
“At the time of Darren’s murder, the public did assist and come forward with information, but I do believe that there are people still out there with information, who for whatever reason, have not spoken to the police.
“With today’s national television appeal, it is hoped that we may reach these people or jog someone’s memory for a detail that might seemed insignificant at the time."
Dad Brian added: "He was battered in the head, stabbed in the back and left to die in the street. We got a visit from the Police in the morning and they said your son has been murdered. That's when the screaming started.
"The last thing I said to Darren is 'I'll see you tomorrow son.' He went his way and I went my way and I never saw him again.
"I'll never get closure but I'll do everything in my power to get justice."
Anyone with information has been asked to call Crimewatch or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.
A new website has also been set up to give the public access to a form to send information directly to the Major Investigation Team.
The portal can be accessed at: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/SCOT19W06-PO1
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