Tom Kirwan murder: Five years on family vows not to rest until they get justice

The 23-year-old’s murder remains unsolved five years after he was stabbed to death outside Uberra nightclub, the former Canal Club, in Wolverhampton.

Tom, a Wolves fan, was killed on July 8, 2012, after trouble broke out between two groups outside the nightclub, now a kitchen showroom, before more people arrived in cars and joined in. Tom, who worked at Bridgnorth Aluminium, was stabbed and later died in hospital.

A £15,000 reward was offered in 2015 for any information that could lead to a conviction but still nobody has been charged with his murder.

Now West Midlands Police has confirmed it is reviewing its investigation as it continues to appeal for witnesses.

Brigg Ford, a spokesman for the force, said: "A West Midlands Police review of the homicide investigation is being carried out and the results of that review will be passed to the family in due course.

"This remains a live murder investigation and we are still appealing to any witnesses who saw what happened that night, and have not yet spoken to police, to contact us as their information could be crucial in securing justice for Tom's family."

Tom’s sister, 34-year-old Martine Johnson, has warned his killer that she and her family will not stop until they get justice.

She said: “With the James Brindley murder it just brings it all back and it will not stop coming back until this person is brought to justice.

“Five years is a long time, people change, friendships change and situations change. If people see we are still fighting then it might jog their memory and they might come forward.

“We do not want Tom ever to be forgotten and the family will not stop until we get justice.”

Asked about her brother, who was engaged at the time of his murder, Ms Johnson added: “Tom had everything going for him. He was turning into a young man with his whole life in front of him. He was engaged and he had bought his first home and it was all snatched away for something so trivial. It was a random act of evilness.

“The day after he would have been celebrating my birthday with me instead every year I have to go and visit his grave.

“We have got different mothers so we were brought up in different homes but he was still my baby brother and I babysat him nearly every weekend.

“I remember getting him first teddy from the supermarket after he was born to go into his incubator.

“I have had a son since (Brandon, 12) and he was born on the same day as Tom. It’s hard as there’s always a reminder there.

“He was such a fun, happy go lucky chap with world in front of him. But he will never be a dad and a husband now and for what? What have they got out of it? They do not even get the notorious name because they are too cowardly to even confess.

“One day we will get justice and it will never go away until the whole world knows who the scumbag is responsible for Tom Kirwan’s murder.

She added: “Murder cases do not close they go cold until they get re-looked at. Well after five years Tom’s murder is due to be re-looked at.

“He will never be forgotten. I do not care how much they have moved on with their lives, one day this will catch up with the person or people who did this and the family will not rest until it does.

“The £15,000 reward is still there and the family is still fighting.”

Five people were locked up in 2014 for taking part in the trouble after being found guilty of affray after a trial but no has been charged with his murder.

Anyone with any information should contact West Midlands Police on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org

Victim’s sister: Treat knives like guns

Carrying a knife should be considered the same as carrying a gun, the sister of stab victim Tom Kirwan has said.

Martine Johnson also called for something to be done to stop knife crime.

Twenty-six-year-old Tom was engaged and had just bought his first house when he was killed in what the family describes as a ‘random act of evilness’ on July 8, 2012.

Now Ms Johnson has called for knife crime and gun crime to be considered the same and carry the same punishment.

She said: “Knife crime is getting worse. We said back when Tom was killed that we would not ever want someone to have to go through what we did.

“But I have lost count how many people have lost loved ones because of knifes since then.

“There needs to be something put in place to stop knife crime. If you carry a gun you get five years in prison and it should be the same for carrying a knife.

“But it’s not, it’s a slap on the wrist. You only carry a knife for one reason and that is to use it.

“You do not feel the same responsibility for holding a knife as you do a gun. Youths these days feel this and it is so easy with knives just available in the home.”

Her comments come after it was revealed last month that knife crime across the West Midlands has nearly doubled in just two years.