FIRST PUBLISHED ON 25th MAY, 2000
by Phillippa Arnell
The Worthing family of a man killed outside a Brighton nightclub is still seeking justice, 16 months after the attack.
The case of Jay Abatan has been taken up by the BBC’s Crimewatch and last night (Wednesday) a fresh appeal was made for witnesses.
A reward £75,000, put up by the family and Sussex Police, was also announced.
The family are being helped by MP Peter Bottomley.
Jay grew up in Worthing and was a popular and well respected family man. The 42-year-old, who had moved to Eastbourne , was extremely fit and played sports.
He had enjoyed a night out at the Ocean Rooms, off The Old Steyne, with his brother in January, 1999, when the pair were set upon in a completely unprovoked attack.
The evening was a special night out to celebrate the news that Jay had been promoted.
Instead, he was left with severe head injuries and died at the Royal Sussex Hospital, Brighton, several days later, and Michael was also beaten.
There has never been a trial and the family are desperate for people to come forward.
Michael Abatan, of Worthing, said, ‘My brother always taught me to tell the truth and do everything by the book and if I did that, everything would work out.
‘We have done this and have been doing this and we have got nowhere. Someone must know something.
‘When Jay was hit, his head hit the ground with such force that people stopped, people turned round, people were silent and people stared.
‘There were lots of people around that night. Somebody must know something, or have heard something.
‘Jay had two small children at home that night, two children who had no reason to think their daddy was not coming home to take them on a bike ride and teach them to cook. Only he didn’t come home.
‘We just want to know that we have done everything we can to make sure that justice is done. And that’s why we are fighting.’
HELP LINES:
Jay was attacked on January 23, 1999, at around 2.30am. If you know anything , call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. The £75,000 reward is for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the offender/s.