26 September 2012
Statement read by DCI Steve Collin:
It is three weeks today since Delaney Brown was murdered after
being hit by a car in Vincent Road, Leagrave, Luton.
There have been two arrests made thus far in relation to this
crime, which I emphasise is a serious crime, and not a road traffic
accident. Those individuals have been interviewed and released on
police bail. Our enquiries continue and there will be further
arrests made in relation to Delaney’s death, including the person
who I believe to be the principal suspect.
My assessment of this investigation is that there are people
either associated with Delaney or those involved in his death that
can assist with this case but choose not to. This may be because
they are scared or they see helping the police as being a
‘snitch’.
We know not everyone likes the police, so don’t do it for us, do
it for Delaney’s family. If you still choose not to help, you are
the ones who will have to look Delaney’s family in the eye and say
‘I will not help you’.
This case is not about someone stealing a pair of trainers or
some other minor incident it is about murder and a young man who
did not deserve to die in this way. This is a really serious
matter.
This is not a complicated case and when people are prepared to
give witness statements they do so knowing they are helping the
family in bringing ‘those responsible’ to justice.
I do not pretend that Delaney was perfect. Would the general
public regard him, his associates and those involved in his death
as being part of a gang? Then I would say ‘yes’.
But Delaney and the principal suspect were, I am told school and
family friends, but in more recent times they had fallen out,
resulting in his death.
My appeal is for people who know of this matter to come forward.
Look at Delaney. Tell me he does not deserve to know how his
grandchild died. People can easily bring this to a conclusion
by standing up and being counted and giving their evidence to the
police.
You can give information anonymously by phoning Crimestoppers on
0800 555 111.
I would like you to now listen to Delaney Brown senior, who will
give you his thoughts on what has happened.
Statement read by Delaney Brown
Delaney was our grandson. He was 19 and did not deserve to die.
He had his whole life ahead of him, which was snatched away on
September 5th 2012.
He was loved by his family and Delaney was very special to us
all. We don’t pretend he was perfect. We know he was not. But he
was a son, brother and grandson who mattered to us.
My role today is to show you the side of Delaney that people may
not know. Delaney grew up in Luton, living with his Dad, brothers
and Grandma. He went to Denbigh High School and left just before
his 16th birthday after taking his GCSEs.
Delaney was a talented young man who loved music and fashion and
was a brilliant artist. What he really wanted though was to spend
his time writing and making music in his studio at home. The way he
put words together was inspiring. He moved people with his music
and spoke a lot about the world he lived in and what he saw.
Delaney liked to have fun, he liked to dance and he made people
laugh. He had a lot of friends.
He was very close to his family and spent much of his time at home.
He loved his food and sharing it with friends. Being at home was
where he relaxed. In fact his bedroom is the cleanest and tidiest
room in the whole house.
I have come here today to fight for justice on Delaney’s behalf.
He cannot do it himself. I want to appeal to those directly
involved to come forward. I know what a difficult thing this is to
do, but it will live in your conscience forever if you dont. Please
contact the police.
We don’t want to see another young person hurt and would hate to
see another family go through what we have. There is no animosity
here. As a family we have forgiven those responsible.
As a grandparent I am appealing to other grandparents and
parents out there to speak to their young men and show them the
way. Dont let this happen to anyone else.
The police are treating this as murder. This is not a road
traffic collision. People say they don’t want to help the police.
This isn’t about helping them it is about helping us.
We are not looking for retribution but we are looking for
justice for Delaney. We must now leave it to the police.
View the video of the appeal given by Delaney Brown
