A SENIOR detective investigating the murder of a playboy cocaine baron two years ago said last night he was confident the killers would be caught.

Detective Superintendent Derek Storey spoke out on the second anniversary of Peter Beaumont-Gowling's murder.

Mr Gowling, 52, from Trimdon, County Durham, was shot dead at his home in Jesmond, Newcastle on Valentine's Day 2001.

The former chef, who once ran Perry's nightclub, Joe Rigatoni's and the Buzz bar, all in Darlington, worked at hotels in New York, Paris and Gleneagles before descending into the world of drugs.

He was shot several times at close range in the head, chest and back, a month after he was released from prison after serving time for money laundering.

Detectives said last night they have spent the past two years building up a picture of Mr Gowling's lifestyle, including the time he spent in Darlington and Teesside.

Det Supt Storey, of Northumbria Police, said: "This has been a difficult case, mainly because Mr Gowling led a complex lifestyle, which has generated a large number of inquiries both in the UK and abroad.

"There is no let up in this investigation. There have been a number of lines of inquiry looked into and we are looking at a much more focused inquiry, which we hope will have a successful conclusion.

"He was murdered three weeks after coming out of prison and one has to look at this and his criminal connections. It was an outright assassination."

He added: "February 14 is a date that will stick in may people's minds for various reasons. We still need to hear from anyone who witnessed anything or has information about the shooting who has not spoken to police already."

Detectives are still looking for information on key men and vehicles caught on security cameras at the time.

Two men were seen running from the front door of Mr Gowling's home at 2.04pm that day. Police also need to trace a number of vehicles seen at the time of the murder.

A reward of up to £25,000 is available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Mr Gowling's killers.

Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 0191-214 6555 ext 62512.

Vehicles may hold clues

* A Transit-size van, possibly a Ford or Mercedes, white and unliveried with possible minor body damage to the nearside rear wheel arch area. It was seen, right, at 2.05pm travelling in Sanderson Road from Osborne Road

* A Ford Transit van, mid-blue and unliveried, with a side loading door on the nearside and two fog lamps fitted next to the front radiator grill area. It was being driven immediately behind the white van

* A black saloon, possibly a Vauxhall, believed to be a Newcastle licensed taxi because of a sign on the roof and emblem on the front nearside door. It was seen at 2.06pm, at the back of the Cairn Hotel, Back Osborne Road, Jesmond

* A Range Rover, dark blue or green, parked in the Osborne Road and Acorn Road area between 1.15pm and 1.45pm