£20,000 reward for information about Halton

12:01am Tuesday 22nd April 2008

WITNESSES who help convict Halton McCollin's murderers could be rewarded up to £20,000.

Three months to the day since the popular 20-year-old died, officers from GMP's Major Incident Team are today (April 22), releasing extra information about the ongoing murder inquiry.

"It's a shame when it comes down to people only coming forward with information when there's a sweetener involved."

Halton McCollin snr

Detective Superintendent Sam Haworth, who is leading the inquiry, said: "We know without a doubt that there are still people out there who know the truth but haven't come forward.

"We understand people are scared, but you must listen when we say we can protect your identity, and nobody need ever know that you spoke to us or even appeared in court. This might sound impossible, but it is not. There are already people living in our communities who have helped put killers away, and nobody is any the wiser.

"I'm hoping the reward of £20,000 for your bravery will help you do the right thing and come forward."

Halton was in the China Garden takeaway on Chester Road just after 8.45pm on Saturday January 19 when he was shot.

Witnesses report seeing two masked men run towards the takeaway from a nearby alley just before the shooting, whilst a third walked up the road past the Gorse Hill pub.

The men opened fire in the China Garden, and one of their bullets hit Halton in the head.

After shooting Halton all three men ran back down the alleyway, got into a dark blue Vauxhall Vectra, and drove away.

Halton spent the next three days fighting for his life in hospital but died of his injury on January 22.

Halton's father, Halton McCollin snr, 54, who is a care worker for young adults with learning difficulties said: "It's a shame when it comes down to people only coming forward with information when there's a sweetener involved.

"When something as devastating as this happens we weren't expecting to have to put a reward up.

"But money talks in the community that we live in.

"We can only appeal to whoever has information and who is aware of people that the police should be speaking to. It is not difficult to come forward with information these days."

Detectives now believe an incident that happened three days before Halton was killed, involving a Vectra, might be linked to his murder.

On Wednesday January 16 2008 at about 9.40pm a shot was fired at two young people as they drove away from shops on Talbot Road in Stretford.

One of the victims, a 24-year-old man, had been in a shop when he suddenly ran out and got into his friend's car, telling her to drive away quickly.

The pair saw a man wearing a balaclava run up behind them, and a shot was fired in their direction. The bullet did not hit the car, and nobody was injured.

The gunman then returned to his waiting car, a Vauxhall Vectra saloon, and sped away from the scene.

Detectives now believe the gunman could be amongst those who drove to Stretford three days later and killed Halton, perhaps mistaking him for their intended target.

Officers can also reveal that a dark coloured Vectra was found on fire in Chorlton hours after Halton was shot.

The car was found ablaze on Egerton Road South just after 12.35am in the early hours of January 20. It was almost completely destroyed but has been forensically recovered, and carefully examined.

Despite previous appeals from Halton's father Halton Snr and his older sister Terri-Ann asking for information on who killed Halton, the response has been minimal.

Det Supt Haworth said: "There are definitely people who do know who killed Halton. If you are one of these people, I urge you to ask yourself again whether the people you are protecting are worth it.

"Halton's family are constantly waiting to hear that his murderers have been caught. It is hard enough knowing they'll never see him again, let alone the sickening thought that the people responsible are still free to walk the streets.

"We are determined to bring them the news that Halton's killer has been caught. With courage from the people who know the truth we can do that much sooner."

He added: "If you know anything about why those men armed themselves and drove to Stretford that night, please call us. Do you know anything about the movements of the Vectra, or who was in it?

"I urge you to think of your own safety with these people still at large. Halton's murder has left his family devastated, but it could have been your son, brother or friend in that takeaway that night. Remember that, and do the right thing."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the incident room on 0161 856 3691, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Comments from Halton McCollin snr are accredited to Cavendish Press.

Editor's Choice