Evan JonesTHE HUNT for the killer of former Chippenham rugby player Evan Jones has been stepped-up on the first anniversary of his murder.

Detectives leading the investigation are hoping new information could lead to four key witnesses coming forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Sue Nott, of Avon and Somerset Police, said her team had narrowed the murder time down to a six-minute window.

Father-of-two Mr Jones, 46, was bludgeoned to death by a chain-wielding maniac on a Bristol street, in front of horrified passers-by.

But several crucial eyewitnesses never contacted police despite a £5,000 reward and a TV appeal on Crimewatch UK.

His ex-wife Linda, 46, of Manor Road, Chippenham, said she is distraught at the thought that his murderer is still at large.

She said the family, including Mr Jones' two daughters, Hannah, 27, and Naomi, 23, were taking hope from the Melanie Hall case when new clues were found seven years after the 25-year-old Bradford on Avon woman went missing.

Mrs Jones said: "The police have been fantastic and I know they are trying their best. But it was a terrible thing that happened and we all want the person responsible caught.

"I still feel sad because of the way he died, the fact that he died alone in a street."

The killer struck as Mr Jones walked past Avonmead House in Stokes Croft, Bristol, at about 10.50pm on March 13 last year.

He had been drinking at the nearby Beaufort pub in Montpelier during the evening.

A post-mortem revealed Mr Evans was kicked and punched to death but police believe a dog chain could have been the murder weapon.

Det Ch Insp Nott said: "It is now known that Mr Jones made a call at a phone box in Stokes Croft at 10.49pm and the 999 emergency call reporting the assault was made at 10.55pm.

"It has now been 12 months since Evan was murdered. We hope that this might spur people to come forward."

Police are looking for four witnesses they believe may be crucial to the investigation:

A man of Somalian appearance was seen using a phone box opposite the Chicken Lickin' shop in Stokes Croft at the time of the murder.

Two Asian men who were at a bus-stop opposite Avonmead House

A third Asian man using a mobile phone close to the junction of Stokes Croft and City Road.

Det Ch Insp Nott said all four witnesses could hold the key to catching the murderer.

She said: "It could be that these people were unaware of the seriousness of the assault and may not have realised what they were witnessing.

"But it could be that they saw the offenders or could have spotted the initial argument which led to the attack."

Five people have been arrested in connection with Mr Evans' murder in the last year but have all been released without charge.

Anyone with information relevant to the murder inquiry is asked to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.