A GRIEVING mother says she has given up all hope of ever finding her son's killer after a six-year campaign for justice.Francis Morris's beloved son, Karl Morris, was murdered during a fracas outside a Great Cornard pub on Good Friday, 1999.

A GRIEVING mother says she has given up all hope of ever finding her son's killer after a six-year campaign for justice.

Francis Morris's beloved son, Karl Morris, was murdered during a fracas outside a Great Cornard pub on Good Friday, 1999.

Over the past six years, Mrs Morris has worked with Suffolk detectives to trace prime suspect Stephen Mackay, 34, who has been missing since the 23-year-old lost his fight for life.

Mrs Morris, who lives at Abbas Walk, Great Cornard, said she did not believe justice would ever be done.

"Yet another year has gone by and we are still no nearer finding Mr Mackay, who is the only person who can help us bring this case to and end," she said.

"I have now given up all hope that Karl's killer will ever be found, I just don't know what else we can do, I have run out of ideas.

"Something like this takes so much out of you and I am now losing the strength to keep on fighting for justice."

It was Good Friday, April 1, 1999, when Mr Morris and a group of friends went to the Queens Arms pub in Great Cornard.

At the end of the night, Mr Morris' group become involved in a fracas with another group - including former British soldier Stephen Mackay.

Mr Morris received terrible head injuries as he attempted to break up the fight and he died as a result of his injuries the next day, in West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds.

Detectives have been trying to find Mr Mackay, who was a well-known figure in the Sudbury area.

Despite following up 250 separate lines of inquiry and taking more than 80 statements police have still been unable to trace Mr Mackay, who served in Northern Ireland and Germany with the Royal Green Jackets.

Regular media appeals, including features on Crimewatch UK and Crime Night, have also failed to make a breakthrough.

Mrs Morris, the East Anglian Daily Times and Suffolk police joined forces to put up a £4,000 reward for information leading to the whereabouts of Mr Mackay.

Previous reports have placed the suspect in Thailand, Germany, America and even in Essex.

Det Insp Stuart McCallum, who is leading the murder investigation, said: "The murder case of Karl Morris still remains open and we are confident that justice will be done.

"We are keen to trace a key witness to the assault, Stephen Mackay, now 34, who was in the car park at the time of the incident.

"Despite numerous lines of inquiry both at home and abroad and media appeals Mr Mackay has not been traced to date."

Anyone who has any information about the murder or anyone who knows the whereabouts of Mr Mackay should call Suffolk police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.