DETECTIVES are appealing for information to track down the accomplice of a brutal murderer.

Christopher Pearman, 54, of Waltham Abbey was convicted of shooting 24-year-old Rocky Dawson last year.

He was ordered to serve a minimum of 23 years imprisonment but officers are still eager to trace a 57-year-old man wanted in connection with the incident.

A £20,000 reward is available to anyone able to provide information that leads to the arrest of James Walter Tomkins.

Tomkins, who currently appears on the Crimestoppers web-site, www.crime-stoppers.org.uk/most-wanted, is thought to be residing in southern Spain.

Officers were first called at 8.56pm on May 2 2006 to reports of shots being fired in Ardleigh Green Road. On arrival they discovered a man suffering gunshot injuries.

Rocky Dawson of Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch, was pronounced dead shortly after.

A post mortem gave cause of death as a gunshot wound.

An incident room opened under DCI Peter Landsdown.

Detectives believe that Mr Dawson had been standing close to his silver Fiat Punto, with his two children - a girl and boy, then aged six and two years - seated inside vehicle. Moments later a dark-coloured 4x4 vehicle drove past and shots were fired at the victim.

No-one else was injured.

Later that evening a blue Land Rover Freelander was discovered burnt-out in Mellish Way, at the junction with Slewins Lane, Hornchurch.

Detective Inspector Lee Presland from the Met's Homicide and Serious Crime Command based at Hendon said: "Rocky's life was prematurely cut short just as it had begun.

"He was a devoted father who was well loved and respected by his friends and family.

"Rocky's two young children witnessed this crime and one only narrowly missed being injured.

"I would urge anyone who has information regarding Tomkins' whereabouts or details regarding the incident to contact our incident room on 020 8358 0200 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. All calls will be treated with the utmost confidence."