A CALLER who left a garbled message with police about the murder of a teenager could hold the key to solving the crime, detectives said yesterday.

Twelve months since Scott Pritchard was bludgeoned to death on his doorstep in Sunderland, detectives renewed their appeals for help.

Unemployed Mr Pritchard, 19, from Hendon, was found with severe head injuries outside the Lindsay Close home he shared with his mother, at 7pm on January 7 last year.

At the time of the attack, he was on crutches with his foot in plaster.

Police have not given up hope of catching his killer and want to hear from a man who left a message the day after the attack.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Potts said: "He gave us some information about who he thought was the person responsible for Scott's death.

"It was very useful, but it is only half of the information that we need."

He said the Hendon community had responded well to inquiries made after Scotts's death.

Officers have collected 1,394 statements, 2,141 exhibits and carried out 115 interviews.

A man was arrested last January on suspicion of murder, while a 34-year-old and 16-year-old were arrested and bailed on suspicion of assisting an offender.

They were re-arrested in September on suspicion of murder and conspiracy to commit murder, and were released without charge.

Det Chief Insp Potts said: "We have since proved that those people were not linked with Scott's death.

"Somebody somewhere has a vital piece of information which will piece together the jigsaw puzzle.

"I still believe that in such a small, close-knit community, someone must know something about this incident, whether they heard or saw it at the time or heard something afterwards.

Det Chief Insp Potts said people should come forward to help the popular young man's family.

He said: "Scott's mother, brother and sister have a daily reminder of the incident because they travel back and forth to their house every day.

"It has been a traumatic year for them and it has been their first Christmas without Scott.

"They need some closure on this, some solutions, and this is why we are appealing for help."

Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 0191-563 6946 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.