Fresh appeal over Stoke-on-Trent's longest-running unsolved murder exactly 28 years after taxi driver's throat slashedhttps://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/st ... ts-2346850Steven Johnson was murdered on December 22, 1990
Image: Stoke SentinelDetectives are continuing to review an unsolved murder case in the hope of finally discovering who killed a Stoke-on-Trent cabbie exactly 28 years ago.
Steven Johnson was slashed in the throat by a mystery knifeman in the early hours of December 22, 1990.
But, despite a huge police manhunt and repeated appeals for information, the 25-year-old father-of-two’s killer has never been found.
The car driven by Steven Johnson (Image: The Sun/Press Association)Over the years Staffordshire Police have questioned dozens of people and revisited the evidence as scientific advances are made to see if any new leads emerge
The last suspect was arrested in 2014 in what was described as a major breakthrough at the time but after five months on bail he was released with no further action
A Staffordshire Police spokesman today said: “The case remains open and we’ll review any new information that comes to light.”
Image: The SunMr Johnson, an insurance salesman who worked part-time as a cabbie, was earning some extra Christmas cash for his young family at the time of his death.
He was described as a 6ft 4in gentle giant who would never have picked an argument or provoked a violent confrontation with a customer.
Mr Johnson was last heard from after picking up a fare in Hanley Road, Hanley, at 3.30am and was heading for Packmoor.
His body was found face down by a dog walker four hours later in a snow-covered farm track off Castle Road, Mow Cop.
Mr Johnson had managed to stagger 20 yards in a bid for help before bleeding to death from horrific wounds to his neck.
The motive for his killing was never established and the deceased’s takings for the night were still in his cab.
Mr Johnson, of Melville Street, Hanley, left his 22-year-old wife Kathleen and daughters Roxanne, aged three, and two-year-old Deborah.
Following his murder, many taxi drivers quit the night shift amid fears the cold-blooded killer could strike again.
London-style taxis were introduced with screens to protect drivers from passengers.
A Staffordshire Police e-fit of the murder suspect (Image: Stoke Sentinel)But even major breakthroughs in fingerprint and DNA technology during the past decade have not led police to the culprit.
Police believe someone in the area could still have vital information on the killer’s identity.
It is thought he may have made throwaway comments to people years after his evil deed and urge anyone with suspicions to come forward.
A decade on, Steven’s widow Kathleen issues a new plea for help in catching the killer. (Image: Stoke Sentinel)In an emotional appeal on the 10th anniversary of Steven's murder in 2000, his widow Kath said: "I think someone is shielding the person who did this. That's unfair on Steven's two daughters Debbie and Roxanne and on his parents.
"He was the only son they had. If someone knows something they should phone up and give them in."
His parents also made an appeal for information.
The couple, who were living in the Staffordshire Moorlands at the time, said the death of their only child was a devastating blow from which they have never fully recovered.
Dad Ken said: "Steven was a son who would do anything for anyone.
"He would never do anything against anyone. He was easy-going and very obliging, too much sometimes, and did the best he could for everyone. We've had so much taken away and nothing that anyone does now can ever bring him back."
Anyone with information should call Staffordshire Police on 101 alternatively Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
In 2005 taxi owner Geoff Scragg offered a £5,000 reward to catch the killer (Image: Stoke Sentinel)
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