Express & Star

Watch West Brom's Ben Foster in anniversary appeal to find killer of fan Adam Jones

West Bromwich Albion have launched a fresh appeal along with West Midlands police to try to help catch a hit-and-run driver who killed a schoolboy exactly a year ago.

Published

Adam Jones, aged 15, was knocked down in West Bromwich and despite a massive police investigation the killer has still not been caught.

The lives of his family have been shattered as their wait for justice for goes on.

One year on from Adam's death, Albion have renewed their appeal in the hope of finding new information.

The schoolboy, who died on March 26, was a huge Baggies fan and goalkeeper Ben Foster has pleaded for anyone with answers to come forward in a video released by the club to coincide with the anniversary.

Mandy Rushton visiting her son's grave

In it, Foster says: "As a father, I find it difficult to understand what the parents of Adam Jones are going through as a year ago today he was killed in a hit-and-run incident.

"He was just 15 years old. The person responsible is still at large." He then asks anyone with information to call police.

The schoolboy, from Friar Park, Wednesbury, was hit by a Volkswagen Bora as he crossed at the junction of Beacon View Road and Walsall Road with his bike. The driver abandoned the vehicle and ran off without a thought for Adam.

Police released these images of the car that hit Adam Jones

A huge police appeal was launched in the days following Adam's death, with images of the car involved being released in the hope somebody would have the vital piece of information to lead officers to their target.

A man remains on bail having been questioned in connection with Adam's death but one year on nobody has been charged.

Adam's mother Mandy Ruston admitted she was still struggling to come to terms with losing her son and that she did not know how she would feel on the day of the first anniversary.

She said: "I will be visiting Adam's grave as I normally do every other day but we won't be doing anything special.

"It will be sad, it will emotional. I won't know how I will feel until the day but I imagine it will be hard.

Adam Jones

"They normally say time heals but it is just getting worse.There are no words to express how I'm feeling, I'm just empty and numb. My life stopped the day Adam was killed."

It comes as Mandy revealed she has turned to a psychic in her quest to find her son's killer.

Diane Lazurus is to assist the family and Mandy believes she can provide her with the answers she so desperately needs.

Ms Lazarus was the winner of Channel 5's Britain's Psychic Challenge and is described on her website as a psychic consultant and clairvoyant who has 'learned to control her gift and can switch on and off at will'.

Mandy said: "She has worked on cases with the police before. I know some people are sceptical but I know from watching Diane she will find who is responsible.

Sergeant Paul Hughes, from the West Midlands Police collision investigation unit, said: "The investigation into Adam's death is on-going. We would ask that if there is anyone with information, who still hasn't spoken to officers, to come forward.

"We remain determined to bring some closure to Adam's family."

Anyone with information should call police on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.