Disturbance link to cabbie murder

Police investigating the murder of taxi driver Mohammed Pervaiz in Huddersfield are investigating the possibility that his death may be linked to an earlier incident in the area.

Mr Pervaiz, a 41-year-old father of three from Birkby, was killed while responding to a request for a fare in Field Head, Golcar just before 11:30pm on Saturday night. He is believed to have been attacked by at least six people. A post-mortem revealed that he died as a result of head injuries.

Police said that early inquiries had suggested a possible connection between the attack on Mr Pervaiz and a disturbance between two groups of individuals in the Golcar area of Huddersfield on June 11.

No-one was injured during that incident in which a scooter was damaged.

On Sunday, police said that it was believed that racist language was used towards the victim and the attack was being treated as racially aggravated as a result.

Speaking on Monday, Detective Superintendent Tim Forber said: "We are trying to establish the nature of the incident in June and how it could be connected to the tragic death of Mohammed Pervaiz. Early indications suggest this may not have been a random attack and officers are actively pursuing this new line of enquiry.

"We are still keen to hear from anyone who may have been in the Field Head area of Golcar the night Mr Pervaiz was killed. I'd urge anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious that evening to get in touch with us."

Five people - four males and a female aged between 16 and 19 - have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Mr Pervaiz, who moved to the UK from Pakistan in 1994, had worked as a taxi driver for the last seven years. He lived in Birkby with his wife of 15 years and their three children - two boys aged three and 12 and a girl aged 9.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on: 01924 431 000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800 555 111.

(KMcA)