A £10,000 reward has been offered for information into the death of a man outside a nightclub.

Jay Abatan was assaulted outside the Ocean Rooms in Brighton on January 24, 1999.

He died as a result of head injuries he suffered five days later in hospital.

Two men were arrested and charged in connection with the death, but were later cleared of lesser charges of affray and assault during a trial.

Police say the case has remained open, but Jay’s younger brother Michael criticised how the inquiry was handled, and said it was not treated as a murder inquiry.

Last year he staged a protest outside the police station in John Street, Brighton, to mark the 20th anniversary of his brother’s death.

Now, police say a £10,000 reward is on offer for anyone who has previously felt unable to come forward about what happened.

Detective Superintendent Emma Heater said: “We will investigate any viable new lines of enquiry and urge anyone with information to come forward.

“We are also offering a £10,000 reward for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of any person responsible for the death of Jay Abatan.

“The case remains open. We are appealing for anybody who has so far felt unable to speak about what they either witnessed or maybe something that they have subsequently heard that could be significant information in this case.

“You may not appreciate the importance of what you saw or heard so we urge you to report it, you may hold the piece of the puzzle that allows us to build the picture to provide answers for the family of Jay.”

Previously Michael spoke to The Argus, appealing for witnesses to come forward.

He believed the attack was racially motivated because of Jay’s mixed race heritage, and wants to know if more suspects were involved in the assault on Jay.

Last year he said: “I am intending to mark my brother’s death on the January 29 and would like to remind people out there who are protecting these men that it is not too late to come forward and do the right thing.

“I am told that there are some witnesses who are still wrestling with their conscience but scared of repercussions.

“My message to them is it is never easy to do what is right but they should have courage to correct this injustice.”

Anyone with information can call 101 or report information on the Sussex Police website, quoting Operation Dorchester.

Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.