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Search forMurder inquiry cops issue new description
Monday, August 18, 2008, 14:23
Police say their prime suspect is a white man in his late 20s or early thirties, approximately 5ft 7in tall, and of medium to stocky build.
He is also said to have a pale complexion, bags around his eyes, and shaved or closely cropped hair.
He was wearing a dark waist length jacket and jeans when the fatal stabbing took place in Sumner Road, Broad Green, at 1.30am on Saturday morning.
Detective Chief Inspector Tim Grattan-Kane, who is leading the investigation, said: "We have now spoken to several witnesses and built up a good description of the suspect.
"I would urge local people to read it carefully and think about anyone they know who fits the description.
"Given that the suspect returned approximately 30 minutes after the exchange of words at the traffic lights it is highly likely he lives locally."
Nilanthan, 17, was waiting with a group of friends at the corner of Sumner Road and London Road at about 1am when a minicab pulled up at the traffic lights, and the passenger started rowing.
Nilanthan and his friends also exchanged words with the passenger before the taxi drove off.
About half an hour later, the passenger returned and Nilanthan was stabbed in the neck.
The attacker then walked off in the direction of Mayday Hospital.
Police have also revised their description of the taxi in which the suspect was travelling half an hour before the murder.
The blue car, registered 54 or 55, was either a Ford Mondeo or an older-style VW Passat.
It had a TfL sticker in the back to show it was legally registered.
DCI Grattan-Kane said: "The taxi driver has not come forward yet and it is vitally important we hear from him.
"While appealing directly to the minicab driver, I am also asking for companies to check for any drivers who had fares to the area and who drive a blue car, in particular a Ford Mondeo or a VW Passatt."
Detectives are also asking for people who were at nearby shops at the time to contact the incident room.
Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 020 8721 4066 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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