THE mum of a seven-year-old murder victim has vowed not to rest until her sons killer is brought to justice.

Speaking on the 15th anniversary of little Joe McCaffertys death, mum Tracey said: We will never give up.

Tracey, 47, says while her family has grown up and moved on since May 3 1997, Joe is still very much part of their lives.

We talk about him every day, said Tracey. I feel he is still with me and thats what keeps me going.

Joe died when petrol was poured through the letterbox of his aunt Debbies house in Haywood Avenue, Marsh, and set alight.

He died of his injuries in hospital. But despite a massive murder investigation, his killer has never been caught.

Tracey, of Clare Hill, Huddersfield, hopes the passage of time may bring an end to their on-going agony.

I am sure there is someone out there who knows what happened and who is responsible, said Tracey.

Someone may have been keeping a secret all these years but time changes things.

Everybodys lifestyles change over time and they may have been too scared to speak out before.

I know I am a totally different person to what I was 15 years ago.

Tracey will mark the 15th anniversary as she has done with so many others.

She and the family will visit Joes memorial at Lockwood Cemetery and release Chinese lanterns. They will have a family meal afterwards.

The family doesnt need an anniversary or special occasion to remember Joe. Hes part of their lives every day.

Tracey, who has four other children Chevonne, 28, Nicky, 24, Bree, 13, and four-year-old Diaz, said: Joe comes into our conversations every day.

He is always included in family dos and his name always comes up. Its like hes still here.

Chevonne has two sons, Connor, 12, and Cameron, five, while Nicky is proud dad to one-year-old Tegan Jo.

Tracey imagines what Joes life would be like today at the age of 22.

He might have been a dad himself, she said.

Tracey has tried to force the horrific memories of May 1997 from her mind, instead concentrating on the happy times with Joe.

I dont want to think about the day itself, its something I want to block out, she said.

I want to forget the bad times and just remember the seven years we had.

Tracey remembers Joe as a typical seven-year-old who loved playing out.

He was really adventurous, just a boisterous, inquisitive seven-year-old. He loved football and rugby, any boys sports.

While time makes it easier to live with what happened, the not-knowing gnaws away with every passing year.

Each year I hope the anniversary will get easier but it doesnt, it gets worse, said Tracey.

A West Yorkshire police spokesman said the investigation remained active and appealed for anyone with information to contact detectives via 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

See next page for an interview with Joe's uncle - who believes the killer confided in someone

LITTLE Joe McCaffertys uncle admits he is consumed by hate and bitterness over his nephews unsolved murder.

Tony McCafferty, 48, brother of Joes mum Tracey, said: "I beat myself up every day."

Car trader Tony, of Birkby, added: "They say time is a healer but I live with this 24/7. Every day is a reminder, not that I want to forget."

Tony will join other relatives today to mark the 15th anniversary of Joes death and hopes more publicity will prick someones conscience.

"I am still angry and bitter and I am always looking for a reason.

"These anniversaries keep coming and I dont know how Tracey can be so strong. This is just the worst time of year for us."

A motive for the arson attack on his sister Debbies house in Haywood Avenue, Marsh, on May 3 1997, has never been found.

There was speculation that it may have been a grudge attack and Tony said: "I cant believe it was random. You dont start a fire like that for no reason.

"Even if we dont like the answer, we need to know the truth."

Tony believes that someone, somewhere knows the identity of the killer or killers and has begged them to come forward.

"I dont know how they can live with themselves," he said.

"This was a cowardly thing to do and that person must have told someone in confidence. Its a big secret to keep to yourself.

"If they have a conscience they should hand themselves in. Its not fair on the family."