MURDER inquiry detectives this week renewed their appeal for help in finding the killer of a Runcorn man - as his griefstricken girlfriend mourned at his funeral.

Desmond Griffith, 23, of Sextant Close, Murdishaw was found lying fatally injured in a Liverpool street.

He died in Fazackerly Hospital's intensive care unit, a week after being found unconscious outside a house in Tintagel Street, Croxteth, at 6.35am on August 31.

He never regained consciousness following the early morning attack.

His girlfriend, Joanne McCarrick, 18, recently gave birth to twins.

She was with his relatives at his bedside when the life support machine was switched off.

He had suffered a head injury, possibly caused by a heavy fall during a scuffle.

Police believe he was with a group of people when the attack happened.

A police spokesman said: "We believe there are people who witnessed what happened but who have yet to come forward and speak to us.

"There is still someone out there responsible for this attack who needs to be caught.

"I would ask if anyone who knows anything at all to come forward."

Murder inquiry detectives attended his funeral this week at St Martin's RC Church in Murdishaw.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact Walton Lane CID on 0151-777 4666 or Crimestoppers hotline, in confidence, on 0800 555 111.

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