THE mother of a Bolton woman who was stabbed to death has said she still hopes to “prick the conscience” of somebody who knows something and get them to come forward to end 14 years of agony.

Mother-of-two Sarah Melia was found with six stab wounds in her back at her home in Catherine West Street, Horwich on January 14, 2008.

She left behind a then 15-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son.

Daughter Meghan found the body of the 34-year-old.

She had suffered six fatal puncture wounds in her back as well as superficial stab wounds to her chest and damage to her ribs.

Police found the murder weapon on the roof of an extension to her home.

Mark Kitchen, the brother of Sarah, was later arrested.

Mr Kitchen, who suffers from schizophrenia, was charged with murder but after two collapsed trials was acquitted in 2009 and now has no contact with the family.

Sarah’s mother Marion Kitchen, 68, has said she is struggling to find hope 14 years on.

She said: “I am just lost I suppose. The never feeling never goes away.

“I can’t believe it is 14 years since that terrible day when it always feels like yesterday. I must admit there are days when I feel that there isn’t any hope.

“I have to find that hope for Sarah and her children Meghan and Ethan.

“I just hope to prick the conscience of somebody.

“Please think hard and long if you know the person who did this to Sarah.

“Any information could end 14 years of agony for me and the children.

“Nothing can bring her back but we could at last lay her memory to rest.

“Sarah’s children have always have family and friends surrounding and helping them. They are a both a credit to her memory and their mum would be very proud.”

The murder attracted nationwide attention and featured on the BBC’s Crimewatch where an enactment of the killing took place.

Marion added: “We are just devastated that we did not get justice for Sarah."

Marion hopes that new evidence may be enough to reopen the case.

The 68-year-old said: “We have no contact with the police unless there is new evidence.

“We need the public to try and remember any little thing on that day. And to the person who did it, please find it in your heart to do the right thing.

“It would end years of wondering why.

“We are aching for the truth.

“We have to hope for Sarah.

“She did not deserve what happened to her.”

Cold Case Unit Det Sgt Clare Smith said: “If anyone has any information to give us then we would encourage them to come forward.

“We would need significant evidence to reopen the investigation.

“We do not close the case, any information will be looked into if we can progress it.”