Chasetown family's plea to find Richard Deakin's killers

The family of a father-of-two who was gunned down at his Staffordshire home today issued a heartfelt plea for information in a bid to find his killers.

Richard Deakin, aged 27, was shot at his home in Meadway Street, Chasetown, by killers his family described as "animals".

Staffordshire Police Major Investigation Department is probing the July 5 killing.

Mr Deakin, a fomer Cheslyn Hay High School pupil, moved to Chasetown with fiancee Megan in 2008 with daughters, Ellie, four and Jessica, two.

His mother, Carol Deakin, of Cheslyn Hay said: "We all hurt for each other.

"We haven't got a life at the moment. We exist to look after the girls. I just keep asking, 'Why, why, why?' Why would anyone want to kill someone so lovely, caring and sincere?

"If anybody would ring and tell Richard they needed something he would be there in a flash to help them.

"Up until the funeral we couldn't go anywhere. I just didn't want to face anybody - people don't know what to say to you. It's destroying my head. I feel sick when I think about it. I don't know how someone could do it."

Megan said: "Richard was the best dad ever, and was totally devoted to his girls. They would say, 'Jump' and he would say, 'How high?'

"The children want their dad. I want Richard and I want my life back.

"The cowards who did this are not people, they are animals. People may be scared to come forward, but if they don't, Richard's killers will still be out there. Someone needs to come forward to put them behind bars so that other people are safe."

Det Ch Insp Dave Garrett said: "There are people with information about Richard's death who, for whatever reason, have not yet passed it to police."

People with information should call the incident room on 01785 233600 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Two men were arrested in July in connection with Mr Deakin's death and remain on police bail.

By Andy Richardson