TV plea for fire victim's 21st birthday date

DETECTIVES investigating the murder of a boy who died in an arson attack in Huddersfield will make a fresh appeal on Crimewatch tonight as his family prepare to mark what would have been his 21st birthday. Joe McCafferty died in a house fire in 1997 and detectives say they remain determined to catch his killer.

The programme, which will be shown on BBC 1 tonight at 9pm, will feature an interview with Joe’s family as well as showing previously unseen family footage to mark what would have been his 21st birthday.

Det Supt Dave Pervin, who is now leading the investigation, will also be in the Crimewatch studio to appeal to the public for help in catching Joe’s killers. He believes someone could help bring Joe’s killers to justice and help bring peace to the McCafferty family.

He said: “Joe McCafferty would have been 21 on October 30 this year. A lot of time has passed since his death, but we are still as committed as ever to bringing those responsible to justice.

“Our investigation will not end until the killer of little Joe is identified. His family miss Joe dearly and still hold on to the hope that someone with information that may lead to identifying little Joe’s killer will do the right thing and come forward.”

On Saturday May 3 1997, fire broke out at a house on Haywood Avenue, in Marsh, Huddersfield. Joe, seven, was staying with his aunt at the house when petrol was poured through the letterbox and deliberately set alight.

“Although it was 1997 when the incident happened, I would ask anyone who was in the area at this time to think back and consider whether there is anything you could tell us that might assist in our inquiries,” said Det Supt Pervin. People can contact the police incident room on 01274 373700 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.