Police appeal to find murderer 20 years on

14 June 2010, 9:00 am

Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Review Team (MCRT) is appealing for the public’s help to find the murderer of Leonard Gomm, 20 years on from the crime.

At 10.50am on Wednesday 13 June 1990, the body of Leonard Gomm, aged 75, was discovered on the grass verge of Hampton Gay Lane, near Bletchingdon, Oxon.

He had been stabbed to death.

Mr Gomm was a taxi driver and his blue Ford Granada, registration A592 ARD, was found unattended five yards away from his body.

The victim had radioed his employers, ABC Taxis in Oxford, at 6.35am on that day to say that he was taking a fare to Bicester.

Two witnesses saw the victim driving his taxi at that time and saw that he had a passenger with him.

Det Supt Barry Halliday, Head of the MCRT, said: “We have uncovered new forensic evidence in this case, which could help us find Leonard’s killer, 20 years after he was murdered.

“Members of the public can be assured that this evidence will also allow us to eliminate anyone not responsible from our enquiries, so even the smallest piece of information they have, even if they think it is insignificant, may help us find the person responsible.”

Anyone with any information they think may help the investigation, should contact the Major Crime Review Team via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505. If you don’t want to speak to police or leave your name, call the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Mr Gomm’s three daughters have also asked for the public’s help. Susan McCarthy, Sandra Gomm and Angela Cook, the daughters of Leonard Gomm, have released the following statement:

Twenty years ago, our father was brutally attacked while carrying out the job he had loved for many years.

He was 75-years-old and was no threat to anyone. There was no need to attack him so violently or inflict such vicious injuries. He had been happily married to our Mother, who has since passed away, for many years and they should have been looking forward to spending their twilight years together and enjoying their children and grandchildren.

Time has passed now, but still we never forget the loss we suffered, when Father was taken away from us.

We are aware of the re-investigation by the Thames Valley Police Major Crime Review Team and support their work in trying to find who killed Father.

He deserves the justice that has not yet been found.

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