MORE than a decade after thugs left a young Collier Row man unable to walk, his mother is renewing his appeal for justice.

Dean Everett’s life was turned on its head when he was paralysed from the chest down in a vicious and unprovoked assault in Amersham Road, Harold Hill, in September 2000.

Then aged 21, he was attacked by a gang as he walked home from Harold Hill Community Centre in Gooshays Drive.

Though the attack was featured in a BBC Crimewatch appeal a year later, his attackers have never been caught. The family believes people in Harold Hill know who carried out the attack but are still too scared to come forward – including a man in his 20s who watched the attack from his home.

Mother Patricia Everett said: “I have tried for years to bring the thugs to justice.

“In spite of knowing who these thugs are and knowing there were witnesses, I am still trying.”

She added: “Dean will never walk again, but we just want justice to be served.”

Havering Police have also, once again, called for witnesses to come forward.

Det Supt Tony Bennett said: “On the night of Dean’s assault there may have been a number of individuals that witnessed the incident.”

He said that given the time that has passed, some of these individuals may have changed allegiances and could now be willing to assist in providing a witness testimony.

“They might still live in the Harold Hill area or could have contacts locally.

“These individuals hold the key to resolving this investigation in both bringing the perpetrators to justice and providing a resolution to Dean and his family.

“These individuals could possibly be mothers and fathers themselves who will now appreciate the anguish and pain that Dean’s family have suffered. They may feel that they can now come forward with information that could lead to a new line of enquiry.

“I would urge all those in the community who were involved to revisit that night and see if they can provide one small piece of information that will make a difference.“

If anyone has any information relating to Dean’s attack they can call DS Ian Bowles at Romford Police Station on 0300 123 1212 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800 555 111.