DETECTIVES hunting for an accomplice to a murderer are renewing their appeals.

Christopher Pearman, 54, from Upshire, murdered 24-year-old Rocky Dawson four years ago in a contract-style drive-by shooting.

He pleaded guilty to the offence in 2007 and was jailed for a minimum of 23 years, but his accomplice- believed to be James Walter Tomkins- has never been caught and is suspected of fleeing to Spain.

Police have now released a new picture of Tomkins, 57, in the hope of tracking him down.

Detective Inspector Mark Lawson from the Met's Homicide and Serious Crime Command said: “We continue to appeal for information from the public regarding the whereabouts of James Walter Tomkins as we believe there are people who have information that could help us solve this murder. “We know that he had previously lived in Bermondsey and would appeal to anyone from that area who may have information about him to come forward. This was a violent and cowardly attack on Mr Dawson in front of his children, who narrowly missed being injured.”

Mr Dawson, of Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch, was gunned down near his home around 9pm on May 2, 2006.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Tomkins is asked to call police on 020 8358 0200 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.