A cold case murder investigation into the death of a former St Ives nightclub bouncer has been re-launched after detectives made a significant breakthrough.
Ian Grant was found dead on wasteand near Fulbourn Hospital, in Cambridge, just after midnight on November 15, 1995. He had been shot in the head and his hand.
The 24-year-old, who worked at the LEL nightclub but was out of work at the time of his death, was seen at 8pm earlier that evening when he left his flat in Speedwell Close, Cambridge.
Officers believe he was killed in the two hours from leaving his home. They are also linking his death with an arson case, which saw his girlfriend’s car set alight two weeks before.
Detectives have relaunched the investigation into his death after fresh evidence emerged.
Detective Chief Inspector Jon Hutchinson said: “We continually review unsolved murder investigations and believe we have made a significant breakthrough in this particular inquiry.
“As a result we are re-launching the investigation into Ian Grant’s murder.
“Eighteen years is a long time and allegiances are likely to have changed during the passage of time since Ian was killed.
“Back in the 1990s the pub and club trade was much different to what it is today. There were many unscrupulous people involved in running that scene and people may have been intimidated or too scared to talk to the police for fear of repercussions.
“However, the trade is completely different nowadays. There are much tighter rules and regulations now and Cambridge is a very safe city to visit and socialise in. What’s more, much of the criminal network involved in that scene has broken up and that threat is no longer what it once was.
“Hopefully people will feel much more confident in coming forward and speaking to police now.”
Two men were acquitted of conspiracy to murder following a trial at Norwich Crown Court.
The cold murder case is one of five in Cambridgeshire.
INFORMATION: Anyone with any information should call the Major Crime Unit on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
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