From a £20,000 reward for information to an appeal on prime time TV, the persistence and dedication of specialist detectives over two years has ensured justice for the family of Terry Leeks.

Callum Taylor, previously of Craylands, Basildon, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for the manslaughter of the 46-year-old who was fatally stabbed in the early hours of July 11, 2021.

Terry's family waited more than two years to see justice for him, which they described as "hell", while police worked tirelessly to identify those involved and gather enough evidence to bring them to court.

Taylor, now 19, was charged in February 2023 over the death of Terry, following the painstaking homicide investigation carried out by Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.

Jailed - Callum TaylorJailed - Callum Taylor (Image: Essex Police) This probe saw detectives scour through nearly 150 hours of CCTV footage, take nearly 500 witness statements and collect 1,370 exhibits.

A total of 17 public media appeals were issued and 13 people were arrested throughout the two-year investigation.

This included releasing CCTV of suspects, as well as the first image released of Leeks on what would have been his 47th birthday on August 17, 2021.

Chilling footage of Terry’s final movements was published on the one-year anniversary of his death, which showed him cycling along the track in the park.

CCTV - the footage of Terry Leeks cycling through the parkCCTV - the footage of Terry Leeks cycling through the park (Image: Essex Police)

Alongside this CCTV appeal, the independent charity Crimestoppers put up a £20,000 reward for any information which would lead to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for his death.

In October 2022, the case was featured on BBC One’s Crimewatch Live programme with a reconstruction of the fatal attack and plea for information as detectives urged people in the community to "examine their conscience and do the right thing".

Killed - Terry LeeksKilled - Terry Leeks (Image: Essex Police)

Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe said at the time: “It’s now more than a year since Terry was taken away from his family and the pain they feel for their loss has not diminished.

“It’s not clear exactly why Terry was attacked but what we do know is that it was brief, it was brutal, and his attackers left him there to die.

“There are people out there in the community who know what happened to Terry and know who was responsible.

“I’m hoping they see this appeal, they watch Crimewatch Live, they examine their conscience, and decide now is the time to do the right thing.”