£20,000 reward for help finding killer of Fulham singer
Detectives investigating the murder of Fulham singer Ian Newtion, affectionately known to his family, friends and
fans as Scoobie Santino, have offered a £20,000 reward for information on BBC TV's Crimewatch.
The reward was offered as 10 teenagers were held in connection with Ian's murder, which took place in an underpass in Greenford on Mothering Sunday, March 22.
Ian, 45 was a gifted reggae singer and had a number one hit in the Reggae charts with Money Honey in the 1990s under
his stage name of Scoobie. Since then had combined his singing with a job as a delivery driver.
Acting DCI Lee Presland from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command appeared in the TV studio on April 30 to
give an update on the investigation and appeal for information and witnesses.
A reconstruction showed Ian's final moments as he entered the underpass at the Greenford
Roundabout where he was killed after leaving a nearby event where he had been singing.
He was found in the underpass by a member of the public at 8.50am and pronounced
dead at the scene.
Officers would like to hear from anyone who saw Ian leave Rockware Avenue at approximately
7.45am or on the Greenford Road in the area of the roundabout. Was he walking? Was he on his own? Or was he given a lift by someone?
He was last seen alive by a jogger at the subway exit at approximately 7.55am and was described
as looking agitated. He was wearing dark trousers, trainers and a dark jacket, and was also
wearing a black rag-du (headscarf) on his head.
Just before the last sighting of Ian, a group were seen in the area under the roundabout where
the various subway exits converge. They are described as a group of black males aged between
16-20 years old, wearing hooded tops. Police are keen to speak to this group as they might hold
information vital to the enquiry.
Ian, who was described by police as "a kind and gentle man" had received a fatal wound to the throat from a broken beer bottle, and a possible robbery
motive is a line of enquiry although none of Ian's personal property was missing when he was
found.
In the week preceding the murder a small number of robberies, where bottles were used as a
weapon, were reported in neighbouring areas.
Officers would like to speak to anyone who knows who has been committing these robberies, or if
they were present at a robbery that went too far. Information given would be treated in the
strictest of confidence.
It is also possible that the suspect would have sustained a hand injury from the neck of the
bottle which was smashed in the assault. Anyone who has had a loved one come home with an
unexplained injury, or covered in blood, or come home late on Mother's Day acting strangely, is
asked to call the inquiry team.
Numerous arrests have been made in connection with the inquiry including 10 further arrests on April 30 of ten teenagers aged from 14 - 17.
On Crimewatch, both Ian's brother Cleave and his 21 year-old daughter Jade spoke about their loss. A/DCI Lee Presland said: "The investigation is progressing and enquiries are on-going in relation to the murder. Ian's family, friends and fans miss him terribly and I would ask that anyone who has information that will help the inquiry to call us.
"Any information given will be treated in confidence and a substantial reward is being offered
for information leading to the identification, arrest and prosecution of person/s responsible
for the murder."
Anyone with any information should contact the incident room on 020 8358 0400; if you wish to
remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
May 1, 2009
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