New appeal in 10th anniversary year of Erith schoolgirl's death (From News Shopper)

New appeal in 10th anniversary year of Erith schoolgirl Gemma Rolfe's death

6:38pm Wednesday 23rd January 2013 in Bexley By Tim MacFarlan, Bexley and north Kent reporter

THE mother of schoolgirl Gemma Rolfe has made a fresh appeal for information nearly 10 years after her death.

The Erith School pupil died, aged 12, after the car she was travelling in with stepfather Dean Robey was hit by a stolen van in Slade Green Road, near the junction with Canada Road, Slade Green, on May 19, 2003.

She had to be cut out from wreckage and died at the scene.

The driver of the van fled the accident and no-one has been charged in connection with Gemma's death.

She was on her way to Guides when the accident happened at around 7pm.

Mum Janet Robey, 46, says she hopes new information about the tragedy can be uncovered after nearly a decade of uncertainty.

The accounts assistant said: "It’s a long time to go still not having anything.

"Gemma just walked out of the door one day and didn’t come back.

The Wharfside Close, Erith, resident added: "Ten years is a number but this feels like yesterday still because I haven’t got closure.

"There are people who have got children and are maybe a bit older and wiser who think maybe I should say something now."

Kelly Dunkley, 20, has started a Twitter campaign with the hastag JusticeForGemma raising awareness of the 10-year anniversary of her death and has had re-tweets from actresses Patsy Palmer and Danniella Westbrook.

The web designer lives in Northapmton with Gemma's brother Kye, 27, with whom she has a 14-month-old baby girl – also called Gemma.

She said: "It’s a stupidly long time to wait.

"People know who did it and they haven’t come forward.

"It would have been Gemma’s 21st birthday last year and I’m 21 on February 1 so Kye is always reminded of her."

Family and friends will mark the anniversary itself as they do every year with a gathering at the spot where the 12-year-old was killed.

Mum Janet added: "Over the years it has dwindled but because it’s the 10th anniversary this year it's going to be big."

Visit Gemma's Facebook page or get involved in the campaign at hazefmuk.com/justice or on Twitter at twitter.com/VWKel

Anyone with any information should contact Bexley Police on 101 or ring Crimsestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.