THE identity of those suspected of the cold-blooded execution of drugs cash tycoon Peter Beaumont-Gowling have been captured on security cameras.

The images of two men fleeing the scene of the murder at his luxury Tyneside home is a major breakthrough in the hunt for the killers who shot Beaumont-Gowling several times on St Valentines Day.

The CCTV film will be shown for the first time during a reconstruction of the murder on BBC television's Crimewatch UK programme at 8.05 tonight.

Detective Superintendent Derek Storey, who is travelling to the Crimewatch studios in London today, said the programme will also reveal the time the murder is believed to have been committed, details on Beaumont-Gowling's injuries and the type of weapon used.

It will also include CCTV footage of five vehicles seen near the scene - along with the disclosure of a substantial reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Beaumont-Gowling, 52, who once owned Perry's nightclub, now Club 2K, in Darlington, was found shot dead in his home in Osborne Road, Jesmond, Newcastle, shortly after midnight on February 15.

The restaurateur, who hailed from Trimdon, County Durham, had a taste for cocaine and call girls, and had just finished serving four years of an 11-year prison sentence for his part in a £2.5m money laundering scam.

There were no signs of struggle in the ground-floor flat and no indication that the killer or killers had broken in.

His girlfriend left the flat at about 10.15am on the day he was murdered and he later met a business associate for lunch at nearby Scalini's restaurant.

Police have ruled the associate out of their inquiries.

Beaumont-Gowling - also known as David Simpson - who has a 15-year-old son from a previous relationship, was well known throughout the North-East and was linked to the Joe Rigatoni chain of restaurants.

As a chef he had worked at hotels in New York, Paris and Gleneagles.

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