Mum of dad-to-be shot dead by masked gunman 'broken and torn apart by grief'

The heartbroken mum of a dad-to-be shot dead by a masked gunman says the family is 'broken and torn apart by grief' a year on from his murder. Sam Rimmer, a 22-year-old mechanic, was mercilessly gunned down in the street as he stood chatting with a group of friends.

In a moving statement today, 12 months on, his mum Joanne said 'time has stood still' since his murder - and his family now 'just exists'. She said: "I will never see my son, hear his voice or feel his arms hugging me again."

Police, meanwhile, have issued a fresh appeal for information, saying 'extensive measures' can be put in place 'to protect those brave enough to come forward'.

Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features.

Sam was murdered on Lavrock Bank in Dingle, Liverpool, on August 16 last year. At around 11.40pm, the balaclava-clad gunmen rode onto the cul-de-sac before firing a number of shots from a Skorpion machine pistol towards the group.

Sam was fatally injured and despite the best efforts of the emergency services, he died in hospital a short time later, reports The Echo. Today, a year on from his murder, his mum Joanne has urged anyone who has held onto information which could help the police's investigation to come forward.

In a heartbreaking statement released by Merseyside Police, she said: "Since 16 August 2022, time has stood still. Smiles have disappeared, joy is absent and we live each day with a heavy heart. We just exist. My family and I are broken and torn apart by grief. We are unable to move forward in rebuilding our lives without justice for Sam.

"I appeal to anyone who has information that will lead to the conviction of Sam's murderers. I am asking you to search your heart