Ricky Smith died in 1997

COLD case detectives have appealed for help finding the killer of a young father stabbed in an unprovoked attack 25 years ago.

Ricky Smith, 25, died after being attacked on a night out with his partner, Anita.

Police said this week they believe they have the DNA details of his killer but their name is not on the database.

The knifeman had stabbed another man in Kensal Green on the same evening – the victim survived – before he came across Mr Smith in Highbury Park and delivered a fatal blow.

Officers have asked the public to try and “transport themselves back” to October 3, 1997, to see if memories can be jogged and new clues can emerge.

Detective Inspector Will Reynolds said: “We want people to think about three things. One is the physical description: he was 25-35 years old, black male with a West Indian accent, over six foot, slim build, athletic.

Ricky Smith on holiday with his daughter Mikala

“Do you know anyone who fits that description and secondly do you know anyone who fits the profile: prone to unprovoked bouts of violence, short tempered, carries a knife and is comfortable using it.

“And this person clearly must have links to north london. We think the knife he used was bought in the Edgware area.”

He added: “Finally did this person disappear? Did they leave the country without saying where they were going and never returned?”

Mr Smith and his partner had been on a night out at Tut ’n’ Shive in Upper Street – now The Library pub – and were heading for some food after last orders when Ricky was suddenly stabbed.

The attacker then ran back in the direction he came – towards Conewood Street and Aubert Park, where he is believed to have dumped his clothing and the knife respectively.

Describing the awful night as it unfolded, his mother Sheila, who lives nearby with his father in Liverpool Road, said: “I picked up the phone and a young girl says your son Ricky’s on the floor he’s been stabbed.”

She rushed to the scene to find paramedics working on him, and held his hand in the ambulance, but he died the following day.

A cap linked to the case

DI Reynolds said a “critical witness” who “may hold the key to the investigation” is a slim black man who knocked on the door of a resident in Conewood Street, asking for a bag of clothes which the killer is thought to have disposed of in her garden.

He was told by the resident that they had been handed to the police to which he said: “I’ll go and make my contribution”.

DI Reynolds believes he intended to speak to the police at the time, but for whatever reason, he never did.

He said: “If he’s not the offender why is he asking these questions? What has he seen? Why come back the next morning? We don’t know who he is or why he went to the address.”

As part of the new appeal, police have re-released images of the distinctive clothing found: a red white and black jumper with the basketball club Chicago Bulls logo, as well as a blue Reebok baseball cap.

Police have offered a £25,000 reward. Anyone with info can call 020 8785 8267 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.