FAMILY, friends and supporters of a man who was killed gathered outside a police station to demand justice on the 20th anniversary of his death.

Jay Abatan was attacked outside the Ocean Rooms nightclub in Morley Street in Brighton on January 24, 1999.

The tax specialist was out celebrating his promotion at PriceWaterhouseCoopers with his younger brother Michael when they were both attacked in the taxi rank outside the club.

He suffered multiple injuries after hitting his head on the pavement and died five days later in hospital. Charges against two men were dropped because of insufficient evidence.

Now Michael Abatan, now 52, has continued his battle to get justice after what he believes was a racist attack that was not properly investigated by Sussex Police.

There were two investigations into his death, one in 1999, the other in 2002. Reviews from other police forces found problems with the first investigation.

It was the first major inquiry that Sussex undertook in the wake of the MacPherson report that investigated the murder of Stephen Lawrence in Eltham in 1993.

Following the second investigation, the then Chief Constable Joe Edwards publicly apologised to Michael and his family in 2005.

In 2010, an inquest ruled that Jay had been unlawfully killed, but nine years on, Michael is still campaigning.

The police originally believed the attack was carried out by one man, but Michael said that the suspect that detectives identified got into a taxi with three other men.

At a candle vigil outside the police station in John Street yesterday he continued his appeal for witnesses to come forward.

He said “We know there are witnesses still out there that haven’t come forward, witnesses that are still struggling with their conscience and who are frightened. We want them to have the courage and come forward.

“This is important for me because he was my brother, he was someone I looked up to. He has been missed for 20 years. Jay was a decent, hard-working and intelligent man, but his future was cut short.

“We are not going to forget Jay, we are going to insist on getting justice for him.”

His comments were echoed by Claire Wadey from Brighton who also attended. She worked with Jay at PriceWaterhouseCoopers at the time.

She said: “I have never worked with a nicer work colleague in all of my life. Jay always had a smile on his face.

“When his death was announced there was a palpable shock in the office. I think it is important to show solidarity with his family.”

In response to the vigil, Sussex Police Assistant Chief Constable Nick May said the force accepted that mistakes were made during the initial investigation and have publicly apologised for failures.

He said the force has “regret that nobody has been convicted of this cowardly attack” and said the force is still “committed” to investigating new information that could get a conviction.

The chief added: “The force has completely updated and reorganised the way it investigates major crime since 1999. Significant changes to our investigative practices include a dedicated Major Crime Team and accredited senior investigating officers.”

Any new witnesses are asked to email: abatanm@hotmail.co.uk.