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Police launch fresh plea on 1990 killing
Police have reopened a 20-year-old probe into the murder of a taxi driver near Bicester after crucial new evidence came to light.
On Monday last week, Thames Valley Police's Major Crime Review Team launched an appeal for members of the public to help track down the murderer of 75-year-old taxi driver Leonard Gomm, who was found stabbed to death in a quiet lane outside Bletchingdon on Wednesday, June 13, 1990.
Although officers remain tight-lipped over the exact nature of the new evidence, they have described it as 'crucial'.
Det Supt Barry Halliday, heading up the investigation, said: "Members of the public can be assured that this evidence will also allow us to eliminate anyone not responsible from our enquiries, so even the smallest piece of information they have, even if they think it is insignificant, may help us find the person responsible."
The father-of-three, who lived near Wheatley, had told his employers ABC Taxis of Oxford that he was taking a fare to Bicester at around 6.35am on the day he was killed.
Police believe he had picked up a fare in Gloucester Green, Oxford, at around 6.15am.
Two witnesses reported having seen a passenger with Mr Gomm at about that time.
But at 10.50am, Mr Gomm's body was found on a verge in Hampton Gay Lane by a lorry driver. His blue Ford Granada taxi, registration A592 ARD, was nearby.
Mr Gomm's cash had not been stolen, and the motive for the murder remains a mystery.
On the 20th anniversary of the murder, Mr Gomm's daughters said in a statement: "Twenty years ago, our father was brutally attacked while carrying out the job he had loved for many years.
"He was 75 years old and was no threat to anyone. There was no need to attack him so violently or inflict such vicious injuries.
"He had been happily married to our mother, who has since passed away, for many years, and they should have been looking forward to spending their twilight years together and enjoying their children and grandchildren.
"Time has passed now, but still we never forget the loss we suffered when father was taken away from us."
Anyone with information should contact Thames Valley Police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
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Weather for Buckingham
Monday 13 February 2012
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Temperature: 2 C to 7 C
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