At a vigil held on Sunday outside Brighton Police Station in John Street, Jay Abatan’s younger brother Michael called for people with information to “do the right thing”.
Other speakers reiterated this message, stating that the “smallest piece of information could have the biggest effect” in the investigation.
Jay, 42, was attacked outside Ocean Rooms nightclub in Morley Street, Brighton, on January 24, 1999.
He never regained consciousness and died five days later at the Royal Sussex County Hospital on January 29.
Jay’s family have raised concerns over allegations that the group who attacked him were drinking with Sussex Police officers on that night. The force did not comment on this allegation when contacted by The Argus.
It has however apologised for its failings in terms of the investigation.
Michael told The Argus: “It has had a devastating effect on my family, we have lost a rock. Jay was everything to us and meant a lot to different people. We are still missing him 25 years on.
“I am standing outside this police station to remind people that justice for Jay can still happen. We have got witnesses out there that are still afraid to come forward.
“Jay was pointed out on that night, he had white trousers and a leather jacket. They took a dislike to us. It was an ambush.
“We need a public inquiry, another force has to investigate. A fresh pair of eyes need to look at Jay’s investigation without fair or favour to anyone.”
Sir Peter Bottomley, MP for Worthing West, is hosting a meeting to discuss Jay’s death at Westminster on Monday night.
At Jay’s inquest in 2010, a witness said that Graham Curtis who was one of two arrested and charged with manslaughter said “he hit someone so hard he had gone down like a sack of potatoes”. The case collapsed before reaching court.
Michael said that when he went to give first aid to his brother after the unprovoked attack, his hand was still in his pocket.
Peter Bottomley wrote in a leaflet handed out this afternoon that it is “still not known how many police officers were in the venue with the attackers”.
He added: “Publicity could still bring forward the evidence and the courage needed by witnesses.”
Sussex Police said that Chief Constable Jo Shiner and Detective Chief Superintendent John Boshier met the family of Jay Abatan in August 2022 to further apologise for mistakes made during the initial investigation into his death.
A force spokesman said: “We had apologised publicly for the failings in 1999 but reinforce that current investigative practices are vastly different.
“We remain committed to investigating any significant new information that will assist in convicting those responsible for Jay’s death.
“Senior detectives have met and corresponded with the Abatan family on a number of occasions over the years in order to respond to their concerns and to provide answers to any questions raised. The initial investigation into Mr Abatan’s death was subject to considerable, well-documented scrutiny.
“The force has completely updated and reorganised the way it investigates both major crime and critical incidents since 1999. Significant changes to our investigative practices include a dedicated major crime team, accredited senior investigating officers and trained family liaison officers.
“A potential witness came forward in 2020 who was interviewed by detectives. However there was no information from the witness which could progress the investigation.”
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