Plea to solve murder case 10 years on

The sister of a man shot dead murdered in his home ten years ago, has made an emotional plea for witnesses to come forward.

On 24 March 2004 Andrew Boland, known locally as "Bo", was in his house on Brigade Drive in Stretford when two masked men knocked on the door. They forced their way in after his partners 9 year old son opened the door. One of the men pointed a gun at his head and said: "Go upstairs before I shoot you."

They then walked into the lounge, where they confronted Andrew, threatening him before shooting him once in the chest. They then ran out and drove off in a waiting car. Andrew was rushed to Trafford General Hospital but died shortly afterwards.

Since Andrew's murder, detectives have followed a number of lines inquiry but no firm evidence has been forth coming to charge anyone with his death. A man was charged with assisting an offender by providing the getaway car for the killers. He was cleared after a court case.

Today, Andrew's sister Debbie Boland has made an appeal to those with crucial information to come forward.

Debbie said: "For ten years we have suffered as a family. Not only have we had to try and deal with the upset and emotional trauma caused by my brothers murder, we have had to endure the frustration of knowing that those responsible have never been brought to justice.

"We believe someone in the Stretford and Altrincham area knows who is responsible and I would beg those with information to come forward and speak to police for the sake of our family. A reward is also on offer to those who provide information that leads to the conviction of those responsible."