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Crime Desk
THE DETECTIVE leading the investigation to trace the killers of 15-year old Adam Regis, who was stabbed to death in Plaistow, E13 on 17 March 2007 has made a fresh appeal for information and witnesses. Detective Chief Inspector Steve Clayman, of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, said: "It is now three years since Adam was tragically murdered in Kingsland Road, Newham at around 21:30hrs on 17 March 2007.
"Since that time the investigation team has made extensive enquiries, and whilst good progress has been made, it is clear there are some people with knowledge of the murder who are not coming forward and speaking to the police.
"Those responsible must have spoken to someone following Adam's murder - a friend, family member; wife or girlfriend, and we urge those people to come forward. Do you have suspicions about anyone?
"Hiding the fact you are involved in someone's murder is difficult to live with and Adam's family have the right to know why this happened and who is responsible. I understand some people might have concerns about speaking to the police, but it is important they do, so we can offer them reassurance and support.
"Adam was a respected and well-liked teenager who was caring towards his friends and family and a popular student. He did nothing to provoke the events of that night and we still do not know why he was targeted. Those with information may not see this investigation as any of their business, but it is. They are all part of the community and have a vested interest in ensuring that all those responsible for Adam's murder are held to account. "
Police were called just after 21:30hrs to the junction of Boundary Road and Kingsland Road, to reports of a teenager injured. Adam, who lived in Plaistow, was taken to Newham GeneralHospital where he died shortly before 23:00hrs.
A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as a single stab wound to the chest. The knife used had a blade of at least 20cm and travelled through Adam's right arm and into his chest, nicking the aorta of his heart.
That evening Adam had travelled on a bus with friends back from the Showcase cinema in Beckton. He got off the bus with two friends (a male and female) at about 21:00hrs at Romford Road in the area of Warwick Road, E15 - this is about one-and-a-half miles from where he was found collapsed. The female left to walk to her own home. Adam then walked with the male friend to the friend's address before continuing towards his own house. At some point during this journey he was stabbed, believed close to where he was found.
A car like the one the suspects were picked up by Afterwards, two of the suspects were picked up by the driver of the VW Scirocco (registrations ran from the old X-reg through to K). Two other suspects were seen running north along the New City Road towards Barking Road.
An Incident Room opened at the Homicide and Serious Crime Command at Barking.
On 5 June 2007, officers released CCTV footage of what are believed to be the four suspects and the vehicle they used (driven by a fifth suspect). The vehicle is seen in the area from 20:00hrs.
Just before 21:30hrs it is driven into Patrick Road. Two suspects - enquiries have revealed them to be most probably Asian - get out and run off into New City Road towards Adam and his friend. Had they already picked Adam out as their potential victim by this point?
Adam's friend leaves him to go home and as Adam walks alone in Kingsland Road two suspects in hooded tops are seen walking on the opposite side of the road. Are these the males who previously got out of the car?
Two suspects are then seen on camera following Adam. The attack itself is not caught on CCTV but this immediately precedes the point when police believe Adam was stabbed. CCTV then shows the suspects getting back into the car in Kingsland Road. Two further males are seen in New City Road (area of Jacobs House - a block of flats) running from the area. Despite extensive enquiries the bronze VW Scirocco has not been traced. It is likely to have been in the local area in the days or weeks before the murder - did you see it?
Officers are also still keen to trace a potential witness - were you the woman carrying a handbag that the men ran past in New City Road - maybe you feared for your own safety and thought you were about to be robbed?
Since Adam's death, there has been a number of appeals for information, including a week-long series of events launched by detectives in 2008 with the support of Adam's family. The events included a song and video by award-winning artist Chipmunk, school presentations and lorries clad in appeal posters touring Newham.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Incident Room on 020 8345 3775; if you wish to remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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