Richard Deakin murder: Who paid you to kill my son?

The words of Carol Deakin, the mother of businessman Richard Deakin who was shot to death as he lay in bed at his family home in Chasetown some five-and-a-half years ago.

For Carol and the rest of his heartbroken family, time has not proved to be a great healer.

Three years ago hired gun David Harrison was jailed for 37 years for carrying out the murder, while getaway driver Darryl Dickens was sent down for 30 years.

Police have always believed the pair were paid to carry out the hit – although the identity of those behind the crime has never been ascertained.

Tipton drug kingpin John Anslow – serving 29 years for drug dealing and escaping from a prison van before fleeing the country – was accused of setting up the killing, but was found not guilty after a trial last year.

Following Anslow's acquittal police said they were not pursuing anyone else in connection with the case, but Carol says the thought of someone getting away with murder has left her unable to rest.

It has also filled her with a steely determination to make sure no-one goes unpunished for the murderous act that she says has destroyed her life.

Today, Carol appeals to the men convicted of killing her son to reveal who paid them to do it.

"I want David Harrison to stand up and be a man and say who paid him to kill my son," said Carol, aged 54, from Cheslyn Hay.

"He has got nothing to lose. Harrison will probably never get out of prison. But he knows who gave the orders. He could give me some peace of mind by telling the police who paid him.

"I firmly believe there is still someone out there who has got away with murder. Until that person is made to pay for what they have done there won't be anything even close to a sense of closure for any of us in Richard's family.

"I still can't believe it has happened. We were a very close family, in our own little world really.

"Richard was a hardworking man who didn't get into any trouble. He was not involved in drug dealing. He was a good man who was devoted to his family. My son was killed for nothing.

Richard Deakin was lying awake in bed when his beloved fiancée Megan said goodbye and left the family home to take their two young daughters to school.

Megan put the kids in the car and left.

A black Corsa pulled up outside the house and a man wearing dark clothes, a balaclava and blue latex gloves got out.

He walked through the gate and entered the house through the back door, walked to the bedroom and, with a sawn-off shotgun, opened fire. Mr Deakin, lying in bed, was blasted five times.

Harrison walked out of the house, got in the Corsa and left the scene.

Neighbours who saw Harrison enter the home had already phoned the police. First on the scene was Pc David Challinor, who made his way upstairs and made the grim discovery.

It would be more than two years before Harrison and Dickens were brought to justice, but clues had been left which would prove vital in their convictions.

The getaway car was found abandoned in a nearby field, while Harrison was recognised by a former criminal associate on BBC Crimewatch.

A search of Harrison's van found blue latex gloves which looked strikingly similar to the ones seen on the gunman in the CCTV images.

At his Folkestone home police found a criminal kit – more gloves, wigs, masks and almost £26,000.

Billing records and cell site data analysis revealed Harrison made three trips to Chasetown on June 4, 8 and 18 in the month before the murder to check out the scene.

Dickens, who ran A&D Skip Hire in Bilston with Harrison, was convicted largely on being identified at the scene by Megan Deakin.

It was a long and painstaking investigation.

In December 2012 following a six week trial at Birmingham Crown Court jurors found both Harrison and Dickens guilty of murder.

Harrison was sentenced to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum of 37 years and Dickens was also sentenced to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum of 30 years.

Passing sentence Lord Justice Evans told them: "This was a carefully planned and professionally executed contract killing. You were paid by people who are still at large."

John Anslow had been charged with Mr Deakin's murder just days before being sprung from a prison van by men armed with sledgehammers and a shotgun in January 2012.

"He was stolen from us. I'd give anything to have him back."

Harrison entered Mr Deakin's Meadway Street home on the morning of July 5, 2010, and carried out the execution using a sawn-off shotgun, before calmly leaving the house and being driven away by Dickens. They had waited for Mr Deakin's fiancée, Megan, to leave the home with the couple's two young daughters before making their move.

Harrison and Dickens, both from Bilston, were jailed following a trial in 2013. Harrison, who had previous convictions for firearms offences, has consistently denied having anything to do with the murder.

"For me a big part of this is to get justice for Richard's daughters," Carol added.

"I want them to know that the person who ordered their dad to be killed is locked up. The police may have closed the case but as far as I am concerned there are still loose ends to tie up."

Mr Deakin's daughters Elle and Jessica are now aged nine and seven respectively. Carol said they both regularly talk about their loving father, particularly Elle, who she says 'remembers everything' about the day of his tragic death.

"She was four at the time, old enough to understand what was happening," Carol said.

"A few weeks ago I asked her what she wanted for Christmas and she said all she wanted was a locket with a picture of her daddy in it.

"It's heartbreaking. I've got a lock of his hair so I'm going to put that in the locket for her with a picture.

"She's got all of his expressions. Her dad was quite shy and she's got his personality.

"Jess is Richard's double. How can you explain to children so young about something so terrible?

"It is tragic that Megan has been left to bring up two such beautiful children without Richard."

Carol said the mere thought of Christmas brings a tear to her eye.

While for many families it is a joyous time of year, for her it serves as another reminder of the son she has lost.

"The way I look at it now it is just another Christmas without him," she said. "One where he won't be where he should be – here with his family.

"Each and every day is so hard, but Christmas brings back so many memories.

"Every Christmas Eve he would come around and stay until the New Year. It is just not the same anymore. It's the worst time of year for me.

"I live my life day by day and he never leaves my head. Every Sunday I go to bed at night and I'm filled with sadness.

"All I can think about is Richard. He was killed on a Monday, so I always have a terrible feeling on Sundays because I'm thinking back to the day when it happened.

"I hate Mondays to this day."

Carol says she has 'total belief' that whoever ordered her son's murder will one day be caught.

"I believe in karma," she added.

"Whoever paid them (Harrison and Dickens) to do this cowardly act will have it in their minds every day. One day justice will catch up with them.

"I will keep on fighting until that person is sent to prison."