Anniversary Appeal for Murdered Scoobie

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Police release CCTV images of possible witnesses

One year after the murder of Fulham reggae singer Ian Newtion - known to his friends and fans as Scoobie -  police have released CCTV images of potential witnesses they wish to trace.

 

The footage taken from a petrol station near to the scene at the time of the murder, shows seven people who officers are keen to speak to, as they may hold information vital to the enquiry.  

A £20,000 reward is still on offer for information leading to the identification, arrest and prosecution of person/s responsible for the murder.

DCI Tim Duffield of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, said: "This is a difficult time for Ian's family and friends and the investigating team remains committed to finding the person or people responsible for Ian's death.  

" I would encourage anyone who thinks they have recognised themselves from the CCTV to come forward and speak to police, they may hold information vital to solving this crime but might not have realised the significance of it."

 

Police were called at approximately 8.50am on Mothering Sunday, March  22, 2009 to the body of a man found in a pedestrian underpass at the Greenford Roundabout. Ian Newtion, 45, was pronounced dead at the scene.  

Ian had a number one hit in the Reggae charts in the 1990s with a song called Money Honey under his stage name Scoobie Santino, and since then had combined singing with a job as a delivery driver.

A post mortem gave cause of death as injury to the throat.  On the night he died, he had been performing at a local club, the Scout Hut in Rockware Avenue, Greenford, which he left at 7.45am.

Police say it is still unclear how Ian got from the club to the underpass, and would like to trace anyone who may have seen him on the Greenford Road, or anyone who may have walked through the underpass area between 7.45am and 9am.

Ian 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 he was also wearing a black rag-du (headscarf) on his head.  

Ian 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.  

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 2009 acting strangely, is asked to call the inquiry team.  

Detectives are also still keen to trace a young girl in her teens who they have previously asked to come forward. She bought a large hydrangea plant at a florist's called Making Sense, inside Greenford Tube Station, at approximately 9am on the morning of the murder. It is believed the plant was purchased for her 'Nan'. It is likely she then got on a train at the station to go and visit her.  

It is also believed that she came to the shop on a pedal bike that she left chained up outside the station.   She is described as white, approximately 16-20 years old, approximately 5ft 5inches tall and of athletic build. She has light coloured hair, which was tied back.   Detectives are keen to speak to her as they believe she may have been in the underpass area, where the body was found, prior to visiting the shop and may have information that is vital to the enquiry.

During the course of this investigation, 24 people have been arrested in connection with the murder. All have subsequently been released, with no further action taken.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8358 0400. If you wish to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

March 23, 2010