Heartbroken mum Christine Lister broke down in tears today as she begged the public to help solve the mystery of her teenage son's death.

Mrs Lister, 44, who's son Stuart, lost his fight for life four days after being left for dead on a Steeton road, was speaking at a press conference where it emerged a £2,000 reward has been put up for information leading to a prosecution in connection with the incident.

Police also said today that they believe a taxi driver could hold the key to the mystery.

Detective Superintendent Stuart Hyde said: "Stuart had worked for Abbey Art Stone for about two years and as a tribute to him his employers have offered £2000 to be used at our discretion to reward anyone who provides information that leads to a prosecution in relation to his death."

Making a heartfelt plea for information Mrs Lister, of Thornhill Road, Steeton, said: "We just want to know what happened to him."

And Stuart's brother Jason, 24, said: "If anyone has any information about that night, even if they don't think it's relevant or if anyone's hiding anything through loyalty to another person, we'd ask them to please come forward and help us find out how Stuart died."

A passing taxi driver found Stuart seriously injured near the Aireburn garage in Skipton Road, Steeton, at 1.31am on Saturday, May 1. He died in Leeds General Infirmary where he had been on a life support machine four days later.

Police believe Stuart's injuries were caused by a fall from a moving vehicle rather than being hit by a car. CCTV footage taken from a camera in Keighley Town centre shows Stuart leaving Oscar's nightclub at about 1am.

Det Supt Hyde added: "We believe he then went to Barclays Bank in North Street at about 1.15am and walked from there towards the taxi rank on the Square."

He said it was possible that Stuart had taken a hackney carriage from the Square and he appealed for the driver to contact them.

He said: "If anyone's holding back for misplaced loyalty or for any other reason we'd ask them to look at their consciences and speak to us. His family are completely devastated by the loss of a son who was a very bright young man with a bright future."

He added that they were also keen to trace three young men who passed Stuart as he ran across the road after leaving Oscar's but stressed that they did not have anything to do with the incident.

Steven Phelps, from Abbey Art Stone, said: "He worked here from leaving school and he was a trusted employee.

"We are all absolutely devastated. You don't expect to lose an employee in these circumstances.

"It is rather mysterious. We don't seem to be getting any answers at all.

"You would expect that over a period of time someone somewhere would have come forward.

"It seems ludicrous nobody has - hence the reward.

"We need to jog someone's memory somewhere in whatever manner we can and we thought this might help."

His partner Dale Kenney said: "He was a quiet young lad - very reserved. He just got on with his job and worked very well. Everbody's in shock. We just want to help out in any way we can."

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to call Keighley police on (01535) 617059.

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