A MOTHER made an emotional appeal to help catch the killers of her son yesterday - six months to the day after he was bludgeoned in an attack just yards from his home.

Scott Pritchard, 19, had a foot in a plaster cast and was on crutches, so he would have been unable to defend himself.

He was found unconscious at the rear gate of his home in Lindsay Close, Hendon, Sunderland, on Wednesday, January 7, and died from head injuries, which police believe were caused by a blunt instrument.

His mother, Kathleen Pritchard, said: "The past six months have been heartbreaking. It's still hard to believe we are not going to see our Scott any more. His brother and sister are upset and miss him terribly.

"If anyone knows anything please contact the police. We want to know why. Scott was not a bad lad. They were cowardly to have assaulted him while he was on crutches."

Detective Superintendent Ian Sharp, who is leading the investigation said his team remained fully committed to solving the murder.

He said: "We haven't been faced with a wall of silence - people have helped us - but there are some crucial people we still need to talk to.

"We know they are holding back information. I am of the opinion that if they are, they are cowards and should be ashamed of themselves. They are just as guilty as those who dealt the fatal blows."

Det Supt Sharp said investigators were keeping an open mind about the possible motive for the murder.

He said: "I understand people's reluctance to come forward, but we have ways of helping them through this. We can offer them protection and will interview them with sensitivity."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 0191-563 6946.