Last updated at 12:21, Monday, 03 December 2012

THE decades-old mystery surrounding a child’s murder in Millom remains unsolved – 23 years on.

POIGNANT: The grave of the unknown baby in St George’s churchyard. Inset, top, campaigner Donald Eaton and, below, DI Douglas Marshall of Cumbria Constabulary’s Major Investigation Team HOWARD SHIMMIN REF: 50028267B002

And campaigner Donald Eaton is adamant the perpetrators are known in the West Cumbrian community.

On December 1, 1989, the badly burnt body of a young boy was discovered, with both legs severed, at the Redhills tip in Millom.

Mr Eaton, originally from Millom, travels to the town from Egremont every year on the anniversary of the discovery.

Detective Inspector Doug Marshall, who is leading the investigation, said the case will remain open until all aspects have been exhausted.

But Mr Eaton says he will not stop campaigning until he has justice for the child.

He said: “I come down every anniversary and I wash his gravestone and put new flowers and toys by the side of it.

“Because I do a lot of work in West Cumbria, on a visit to Millom someone said to me ‘Why don’t you do something for the people of Millom and see if you can find out what happened to the little boy?’

“That’s how it started and I’ve carried on for the past 19 years.

“I will not stop until I get the phone call from Cumbria Constabulary saying there’s been a big breakthrough and the person or persons responsible have been caught.

“The people of Millom deserve an answer. People with information should come forward. It’s never too late. I will not stop until that little boy gets justice and has his name on the grave.”

In the past, Mr Eaton has written to Scotland Yard and even the Queen to draw attention to the case.

He is appealing for anyone with information regarding the murder to contact Cumbria police.

The case, known locally as the “Millom tip baby”, has left detectives baffled but remains on the list of cold cases under investigation.

DI Marshall said: “The Millom baby enquiry is one of a number of cold case investigations being conducted by Cumbria Constabulary’s Major Investigation Team.

“The enquiry is one of a complex nature and we have had to be patient and diligent.”

First published at 13:07, Sunday, 02 December 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk