A HEARTBROKEN father has revealed his personal torment in the five years since his son was killed in a blaze started deliberately by a gang who entered the child's home.

David Clough, 53, said he twice attempted suicide in the ten months after his son Damian perished while in "deep shock" and after emerging from that black period, had a breakdown which saw him needing to take six months off work.

Even now, as police mount a new appeal for witnesses to try to prosecute those responsible for Damian's death, Mr Clough said he has a side to his personality he keeps hidden even from his family, where he will frequently break down.

"There are now two sides of me," he said, "There is the person who goes to work to do a job and communicates with people. But when everyone has gone and it is quiet I relive that day every day of my life.

"It is an awful sentence for any father, I just see my son in a room, struggling with no-one there to help him.

"Damian was severely autistic but the most loving child. He made me a better person."

The second of his suicide attempts had almost succeeded, Mr Clough revealed, but afterwards he realised he needed to work to try to get justice for his son.

"If there are any parents out there who love their kids as much as I love mine, they will understand what I am going through as a father.

"If they have any information which could help lead to a prosecution, then please can they come forwards," he said.

The fire which killed Damian was started after a gang of five people entered the house in Kinara Close, Keighley, where he was living, apparently looking for another family member.

When they realised only Damian was at home, they started to cause damage and set clothing alight before leaving.

His autism meant Damian could not speak, so would have been unable to call for help.

Neighbours called emergency services after the fire spread but by the time he was found upstairs, Damian had died as a result of inhaling fumes from the fire.

In the police investigation which followed, five people were arrested and two charged with manslaughter, though no-one was subsequently convicted.

However, police believe those with knowledge of the case might now be willing to co-operate with investigators.

Detective Superintendent Nick Wallen said: "I am aware that after five years, which is a long time, people's relationships with other people may have changed, their allegiances to their friends can change."

He added that people living in the area with information who at the time were too scared or unwilling to help police might now feel able to do so.

The decision to review the case was part of an internal process of re-examining unsolved cases but Damian's father has also been keen to see the authorities look again at the case.

Since Damian's death, legislation has changed which means those who have already faced prosecution for a crime can be charged for a second time, should "compelling" new evidence emerge, said Det Supt Wallen.

"Everything about this case is tragic. I am very disappointed that here we are after five years and no-one has been brought to book. It is about time they were," the detective said.

Anyone with information should contact West Yorkshire Police directly at the incident room, telephone 01924 334679 or via the Crimestoppers service on 0800 555 111.