Police plea for witnesses on 10th anniversary of murder

POLICE are making a renewed appeal for help over the murder of a Yorkshireman 10 years ago.

Danny Regan, 25, was found shot dead at his home in Haydock, St Helens, on December 15, 2002.

Detectives believe he had been killed three days earlier when a gunman broke in and shot him in the chest. The father-of-two was originally from Leeds but also spent a lot of time in the Sheffield area. He had lived in Haydock for a year before his death.

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His mother, Pat Regan from Leeds, became a leading member of Mothers Against Violence in the wake of his death. She died in 2008 at the hands of her grandson Rakeim Regan who was suffering from a severe mental illness exacerbated by the death of his uncle.

Danny Regan’s brother Shane Fenton yesterday reiterated his mother’s pleas for justice.

He said: “Every year we as a family feel the pain of not knowing who killed Danny.

“Danny had a big heart like our mum Pat Regan. After Danny was murdered she worked hard with young people to help them understand the dangers of being involved in gangs and selling drugs.

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“She didn’t want other families to suffer the way we did and wanted to show young people how easy it is to go down the wrong path. The loss of a child is hard to come to terms with and it was soul-destroying for my mum. I urge anyone who has information about gun crime to do their bit, to carry on her work and help our communities be better places.”

Det Supt Mike Shaw said: “Danny’s death had a profound effect on Pat and she always said she would not rest until those who killed her son were brought to justice.

“Ten years may have passed, but our commitment to tracing those who murdered Danny is as strong as ever. We believe Danny had connections in both Yorkshire, particularly the Leeds area, and Merseyside and I would appeal to anyone who may have information, which could help us with our inquiries to contact us.

“This was a cold-blooded murder, which has left a family devastated and children without a father. If anyone has information, but is worried about coming forward I’d like to take this opportunity to reassure them that there are special measures which we can put in place to protect witnesses in serious cases such as this.”

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