Fresh appeal in bid to trace killer of ex-pop star's brother

John Kennedy, whose younger sibling Jade Jones (pictured) was in the boyband Damage, died after he was stabbed in a fight in a busy pub near Shadwell station in east London in 1997.

The 31-year-old electrician was at a lock-in at the Railway Arms in Sutton Street in the early hours of February 8 that year, when he met someone he knew. That person attacked him and fatally stabbed him.

Detective Chief Inspector Ken Hughes said: "John's family have spent the past 19 years campaigning for justice and deserve to know why such a level of violence was inflicted on him, leaving his two children without a father.

"I firmly believe that there are a number of people who are yet to speak with officers and who have information that will shed light on the events of that morning.

"I would urge them to come forward and speak with my team. It is possible that allegiances have changed and that someone who previously thought that they could not talk to us can now help bring this man to justice."

Around 60 drinkers were at the pub when Mr Kennedy was stabbed, and witnesses said his killer fled in a car with another man.

Jones, who is engaged to former Spice Girl Emma Bunton (pictured), has previously spoken about his family's battle for justice.

He told the Evening Standard in 2014: "My brother's killer has got off scot-free.

"There were nearly 60 people in the pub - it doesn't make sense that no-one saw anything. I know there's this code of conduct that you don't grass, but someone has to step up. It's been dreadful."

One person was arrested and charged with murder in 1997, but not convicted. In 2010 the case was reviewed, but despite repeated appeals since then, no breakthrough has been made.

A reward of £30,000 is available for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the killer.

Anyone with information can call police on 020 8345 3865 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.