Find my son's killers pleads gang victim's mother

The mother of a young man shot dead in a gangland-style execution made an emotional plea for information about his murder today.

Daniel Herbert, 27, was beaten unconscious by a gang of men and then shot in the head in Bermondsey, south east London, nine days ago.

Detectives said they are hunting up to five white men seen chasing him through several streets before the "callous and brutal" murder.

Speaking at Lewisham police station today, Ann Herbert, 46, said her son was an outgoing joker with many friends and no enemies.

She said: "Daniel was my only child, I have got no other children.

"I have got no grandchildren to look forward to now.

"I do not know what I am going to do without him.

"Someone knows something about Daniel.

"They beat him and shot him afterwards as if it wasn't enough.

"Someone out there, help me find Daniel's murderer please, before he hurts anyone else."

Mrs Herbert, a supermarket employee from Orpington, Kent, said she had no idea why her son was targeted.

She added: "He was a joker, loud, funny, a big presence.

"Everyone knew him. Everyone liked him.

"Even his dog is waiting for him to come home. It misses him so much.

"I go on Facebook and I see everybody has got only good words for Daniel and I ask why would someone do that to him?

"I just feel numb. I am waiting for him to come home so I can have a go at him for putting all of the family through this."

Mr Herbert was shot dead in the early hours of August 17 after visiting friends in Bermondsey, where he grew up.

Detective Chief Inspector Cliff Lyons, who is leading the inquiry, said there are people out there with information about his killers who have not come forward.

He said the victim was chased through several streets near Bermondsey Tube station to the junction of St James's Road and Clement's Road, where he was murdered.

Mr Lyons said: "We have traced various witnesses and I congratulate those people for coming forward, but there are an awful lot of people who have not come forward for a variety of reasons.

"Daniel was chased by a gang of men, predominantly white males, four to five white males, who managed to capture him in St James's Road, where they beat him unconscious.

"Having done that, they dragged him to his knees, placed a gun to his head and murdered him.

"That is a callous and brutal murder.

"I hope that pricks the conscience of some witnesses who have not made themselves known and who may know or be harbouring those responsible."

The senior officer said robbery was not the motive for the murder of the nightclub promoter.

He refused to confirm that the victim may have known his killers.

He said Mr Herbert was a distinctive looking man, 6ft 2ins tall with "sticking out ears" and wearing paint-spattered jeans.

Mr Lyons called on anyone who saw him in the Bermondsey area between 11pm on August 16 and 2am the following day to contact police.

Police have arrested one man and released him on bail and conducted raids on several properties in the Bermondsey area last night.

Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 0208 7214961 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111