Plea for help to catch murderers of Welsh boxer Jamie

The family of a former boxer have appealed for information to catch his murderers on what is the first anniversary of the discovery of his body.

Jamie Perkins's body was found dumped in a culvert in Gilfach Goch, Rhondda Cynon Taf, South Wales three weeks after he was last seen alive.

Four people were arrested last year in connection with his death and despite a £10,000 reward the 41-year-old's murder remains unsolved.

Now, one year on, his uncle Allan Perkins has spoken out in the hope that somebody who has information will come forward.

Speaking from his home in Penarth, Mr Perkins said: "When Jamie was about nine-years old he started boxing and he took it very seriously, training every single day.

"From there he boxed for Wales and even fought in the Gaelic games in Ireland. He was a very good boxer but as he grew up he tended to go out with the wrong people, and yes, he took the wrong turn in life.

"But I know Jamie, and he would do anything for anybody - he would carry a bag to the top of a hill for somebody if he saw it was too heavy.

"He had his problems, yes, but he was a nice person and people who know him know he was.

"His troubles escalated until the final thing was him getting murdered and being dumped down in Bog Lane."

Mr Perkins urged anyone with information to get in touch with South Wales Police.

"People in Gilfach should look at themselves - if they know or if they have heard anything, and they come forward, we may be able to get closure on this," he said.

"Jamie's father is not very well and I think he would love to finally relax in the latter part of his life. He deserves better than this from the people of the community.

"The last 12 months, we've been in limbo. Police have been asking questions, talking to people, and taking people in for questioning but at the moment we don't seem to be any nearer to finding the people responsible for killing Jamie.

"Please come forward, because John (Jamie's father) needs your help. People in Gilfach should listen to this and think to themselves, something has got to be done."

The last confirmed sighting of the father-of-one, who was well known in the Gilfach Goch and Tonyrefail areas, was on October 8 in Hendreforgan.