A GRIEF-stricken father is calling for police to use the BBC television Crimewatch programme to help catch his son’s killer.

Teenager Ashley Dighton’s badly decomposed body was found in woodland behind the Sainsbury’s on the Warren Retail Park in Ashford in July.

The 19-year-old had been missing since June 11 and it took several weeks for police to confirm his identity.

Six months have now passed since Ambrose Dighton buried the headless remains of his son, and he said he is becoming increasingly frustrated by the failure to catch the killer.

Speaking from the home they shared in Kennington, Ashford, he said: “Someone out there knows something about who killed my boy.

“At least three people have been arrested and others questioned by the police. All were released and now everything has gone quiet as they appear to have no more leads.”

He has asked senior investigating officer Det Ch Insp Dave Withers to see if the case could be featured on Crimewatch, but has been told the decision on that rests with the BBC.

“The police tell me they believe the killer is local but everyone must understand that they could kill again,“ he said.

“As a large family of Romany descent with family and friends across Kent, we will not let this rest.

“All over the county the gipsy community is keeping eyes and ears open for whispers about the killing of one of our own.

“We are aware that some people hate us and that it could be a grudge against gipsy stock, but we are keeping an open mind.”

Mr Dighton, 51, is also struggling to pay his son’s £3,267 funeral bill and to fund a suitable headstone on his grave at Bybrook cemetery.

So far, he has received £1,508 from social funds towards the expenses.

Det Ch Insp Withers confirmed this week that he had spoken to Mr Dighton about the possibility of approaching Crimewatch and would be contacting the BBC.

Anyone with information should contact Det Ch Insp Withers and his team on 01622 654860 or leave a message on the confidential Kent Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.