Archive - Wednesday, 5 May 1999


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SON RENEWS APPEAL TO CATCH HIS MOTHER'S KILLER

THE son of murdered Sandiway housewife Julia Webb says he is still haunted by the tragedy.

Mechanic Chris Webb was speaking about how his family has been coping since his mother's brutal murder on July 22 last year.

And he has thanked villagers and police who have rallied round and are determined to bring the killer to justice.

After a public meeting last week, attended by around 30 villagers, Chris told the Guardian: "I am really pleased that people still want to help.

"I just hope that at sometime or other, someone will come forward with the vital piece of information, that will help to convict this person, whoever it is."

Chris went on to describe how his family is coping, 10 months after the horrific killing, in which Julia, 52, was battered to death with a blunt instrument as she walked in Kennel Lane with her labrador, Rosie.

"We are still coming to grips with it, but it will be a very long process for us," he said. "We are just trying to get on with life as best we can."

Since the day of the murder, liaison officers from Northwich police have been looking after the family, which includes Mrs Webb's children Chris and Nick, her husband John, and father Bill Peake.

DCI Peter Rigby, in charge of the case, said: "The family is coping admirably, and our liaison team have almost become part of the family.

"That is almost a worry for me. The team has to try its best not to become too involved with the family, but their role has meant in this case that they have become good friends."

Bill, who is in his 80s, had both his legs amputated recently, following an illness. But Chris says he's battling on.

"He's putting a brave face on it, but of course he misses mum," he added.

But bleaker news is on the horizon: if the murder remains unsolved by July 22 this year, the team of detectives on the case will be slimmed down again, possibly to single figures.

DCI Rigby added: "That is of course something which we regret, but with the pull on our resources, we have to look at putting the officers back onto other matters.

"But the murder will never be put to bed until it is detected."

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