CCTV footage captures hitman on way to killing

Chilling CCTV images showing a hitman walking through a Midland family's back garden on his way to shooting a father dead were released today.

The dramatic pictures show the masked killer, carrying a sawn-off shotgun in a plastic bag, at the Staffordshire home of Richard Deakin.

Cameras capture the gunman walking past a Wendy house and children's buggies, before disappearing into the house where he shot 27-year-old Mr Deakin twice in his bed.

Click on the image on the right to see more CCTV images.

The gunman leaves the house less than a minute after walking in and gets into a black Vauxhall Corsa driven by an accomplice.

It was later found abandoned nearby in Coppy Nook Lane in Chasetown.

Today police, who believe those behind the killing have links to the Wolverhampton, Tipton or Coseley areas, released the images as part of a nationwide appeal to bring the killer to justice.

Businessman Mr Deakin, who died from a gunshot wound to the chest, moved to Chasetown with his fiancee Megan in 2008. The couple lived their with daughters, Ellie, four, and Jessica, two.

Mr Deakin, a former Cheslyn Hay High School pupil, was alone in the house, on Meadway Street, at the time of his murder.

Det Ch Insp Dave Garrett, who is leading the inquiry, said: "Specially-trained officers are offering support to Richard's family at this tremendously difficult time. For their sake, it's crucial that we bring Richard's killers to justice."

Two men in their early 20s from the Bilston area have been arrested in connection with the death and are on police bail.

The killing, which happened at around 8.30am on July 5, will feature on the BBC's Crimewatch tonight.