THREE years after teenager Anton Hyman was brutally stabbed and shot and dumped in a river four miles from his Ealing home, his parents are renewing their plea to catch his killers.

Seventeen-year-old Anton's parents Vanessa Hyman and Delroy Elliot believe someone out their knows who killed their son.

Police are offering a £20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the killers who struck on Saturday March 20 2004.

Anton's mum Vanessa, 41, said: "Anton was a bit of a Delboy character, he thought he could do anything.

"He was great fun to have around.

"When I found out what happened to him it didn't sink in. I knew what the police were telling me but it was like I didn't properly hear it.

"It wasn't until the next day that it sunk in. Then I realised the reality that he wouldn't be coming home again.

"It was hard for his sister as well. She was six at the time and they were very close. He had lost his gran the year before so it was easier for us to say that he had gone to look after his gran in heaven."

Maintenance company manager Delroy, 39, added: "The bottom line is I miss my son. I miss his laughter.

"My son would have turned 21 on May 15 and there was a lot of things I wanted to do with him.

"There were a lot of dreams and now those dreams are gone."

Vanessa and Delroy said they are still hoping that someone will come forward with information about the killer.

"There's this silence," said Delroy. "I think people are fearful of what will happen to them if they speak.

"The message I want to get out is if you speak to the police they will protect you. You can give information anonymously through Crimestoppers.

"There's something very wrong with the community if people won't make the effort to come forward."

And Vanessa added that catching the killer will help to ease the misery that came from Anton's death.

"I don't know if closure is the right word," said Vanessa. "I've never experienced it before. I don't know if it would close off the pain in my heart.

"It would just be great to see the person or people who did this jailed. They should be punished for what they did.

"If anyone does have any information I hope they can find it in their hearts to just say."

Vanessa and Delroy will be joining a march against violent crime from Ealing Hospital to Acton Park on May 12 as part of the Don't Trigger campaign.

If you would like to get involved with the campaign go to www.dont-trigger.com Detective Inspector Anthony McKeown said: "Anton is still much missed by his family and friends and three years on we remain committed to solving this case so that they can have some closure. We continue to appeal to the community to help us solve this crime.

"Someone must know who killed Anton or have suspicions as to who was involved. Those who murdered Anton are a danger to society and need to be caught, please, if you have any information, contact us in the strictest confidence."

n Anyone with information is asked to call the Incident Room on 020 8785 8244 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.