A BRAVE 11-year-old boy sobbed as he pleaded to the public for help to catch the killers of his grandmother.One year on from the death of Jean Dicker, her grandson Michael Knightstruggled to read a statement as part of an appeal for new information about the murder.

A BRAVE 11-year-old boy sobbed as he pleaded to the public for help to catch the killers of his grandmother.

One year on from the death of Jean Dicker, her grandson Michael Knight

struggled to read a statement as part of an appeal for new information about the murder.

The youngster said: “It's been a strange year without nan. I used to see her often. She was a very kind person.

“I don't know how she died but I do know that someone hurt her. It would be nice if the police could catch them.”

Michael broke down and cried as he read the statement and had to be comforted by his mother Tracy KintonMrs Dicker's daughter.

The appeal was made as Det Supt Gareth Wilson revealed an exhaustive investigation had failed to establish a motive for the brutal killing.

Mrs Dicker, a 58-year-old widow, was found dead at her home in Craigfield Avenue, Clacton, on January 29 last year by her son.

She had suffered head injuries and was certified dead at the scene.

Mrs Kinton, 37, of Colchester, yesterdaydescribed how the pain of her mother's murder had not lessened over the year.

She said: “Tomorrow will be the anniversary of my mum Jean's death. These past 12 months have been very difficult for the whole family and I never thought I would be sitting here again making an appeal to you once more.

“They say time is a great healer but mum's death will be with us for the rest of our lives.

“If we could catch the person or persons responsible then at least justice would be done. It won't bring mum back but we could all rest knowing that these people can't hurt anyone else.

“There is still a reward leading for information leading to a conviction. Please come forward and contact Detective Superintendent Wilson and his colleagues with anything - no matter how trivial you think it may be.

“Please make this the last appeal I have to make.”

Mr Wilson said officers were continuing to try and establish why anyone would want to hurt Mrs Dicker and were keeping an open mind about a possible motive.

Police had considered burglary as a possibility because some possessions belonging to Mrs Dicker were missing but had not ruled out other reasons.

A number of weapons have been recovered by police, which have been forensically examined to see if they are linked to the murder.

Mr Wilson said 3,484 people had been spoken to in connection with the investigation, 500 statements had been taken, and a number of locations had been searched ranging from open fields to the homes of suspects in the killing.

Police still want to trace Mrs Dicker's missing handbag and old-fashioned mobile phone, which were missing from her home.

They also still need to trace a person wearing a silver or grey hooded anorak who was seen in Craigfield Avenue between 8-9pm on the night of the murder.

A £5,000 reward is on offer to anyone who can assist with any information which results in a successful murder conviction.

Anyone with information should contact officers at the Stanway major investigation team on 01206 762122.