New bid to find mum’s murderer

Date published: 15 December 2011

POLICE are to step up the search for a brutal killer who remains on the run following his escape from prison eight years ago.

Following inquiries by the Chronicle, detectives have brought forward their annual review into the disappearance of Roy Kenyon, who battered 74-year-old shopkeeper Margaret Potts to death following a row over 50p.

Her daughter, Irene Demain, is urging police to find Kenyon on the 40-year anniversary of her mum’s death today. Kenyon — only 16 when he carried out the savage attack in Scouthead — absconded from custody at HMP Leyhill, near Bristol, in 2003.

Kenyon was living in Dobcross when he was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder. Police believe he may have returned to the North-West. Irene (85) said: “Murder is murder and life is life.

“He is still on the run after all this time and he should be caught now to serve the rest of his life in prison. I just feel inquiries are being shoved under the carpet. I cannot understand why there has been no news.”

Irene recollected the tragic day when police restrained her from entering her mother’s property back in 1971. She said her mum would have been unrecognisable due to her injuries.

Kenyon had been been drinking with a friend in Oldham when he approached Mrs Potts - whom he knew - when they began arguing over the money. He punched her before picking up a poker and striking her on the head.

Irene still has the blood-soaked necklace her mum was wearing at the time.

She described how Christmas hasn’t been a happy occasion since her mother’s death — made even worse over the last eight years, knowing her mother’s killer is on the run.

Irene, who lives in Manchester, added: “I don’t like Christmas, there are too many memories. I don’t go out of the house. This man should not be out there enjoying Christmas. It worries me because he could do the same again to someone else.”

Incredibly, this isn’t the first time Kenyon has absconded from prison. He escaped from Sudbury open prison in September, 1990, but was caught almost a week later in London.

A spokeswoman for Avon and Somerset Police said: “Roy Kenyon absconded from Leyhill Prison on May 28, 2003. Since the initial search, officers have conducted regular reviews and continue to do so.

“An appeal was aired on ITV’s ‘This Morning’ programme earlier this year when it was believed he was residing in Greater Manchester. As a result of the Chronicle’s contact, this year’s review will be brought forward and officers will be in touch with Mrs Demain. We are determined to pursue Mr Kenyon and share her determination that he completes the sentence handed to him.”

Anyone who knows of Roy Kenyon’s whereabouts is asked to contact Avon and Somerset Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”