Police manhunt for suspect in Birkby arson which killed eight - video
May 12 2009 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner
Shahid Mohammed went on the run while on bail in connection with the incident in 2007.
Det Chief Insp added: “We made a number of arrests in the first few days but at that time we didn’t have the forensic evidence and subsequent phone evidence that implicated the three people who became on trial, along with Shahid Mohammed.
“But he is now wanted in connection with these offences and we have, for seven years, been on his trail trying to find and locate him.”
Previous appeals for information have given police clues about Shahid Mohammed’s movements, with some suggestions that he went to Pakistan, may have changed his identity and potentially re-married.
But he since may have returned to the UK using a false identity.
Police are now asking for people who have previously given them information about Shahid Mohammed’s whereabouts to contact them again.
Det Chief Insp Halstead added: “We have the job to bring Shahid Mohammed back to face justice and for him to explain his actions rather than speculation as to what went on.
“In seven years people have moved on themselves, perhaps they had misguided loyalty towards him, perhaps they were fearful at the time, hopefully now they may have more strength and more conviction to come forward,” he added.
“I would ask them to think about the Chisti family and the suffering that has gone on – maybe some closure from the legal side of it will be one source of comfort to them.”
Police say they can take steps to protect witnesses if the case were to go before a court.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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