A MAN who cheated death in the Birkby firebomb attack today looked forward to a brighter future.

Muhammed Shafique, who saw eight of his relatives killed in the horrific murder 15 months ago, plans to enjoy a holiday now that the mentally-draining police inquiry and trial is over.

But he still believes that other people involved in the plot to firebomb his family home in Osborne Road remain free.

And he urged people who had information - including some of those jailed for their part in the shocking crime - to speak out.

Mr Shafique, 34, welcomed this week's jail sentences on two men who were part of the gang but became key prosecution witnesses.

But he feels certain that Intizar Hussain and Mohammed Arif Siddiq could do more to provide evidence against other people.

Both defendants gave vital evidence during the six-week trial at Leeds Crown Court, which ended with one man guilty of eight murders and two others guilty of eight manslaughter charges.

Mr Shafique said: "After all that has happened, with the crime, the investigation and the trials, we just want to get on with our lives.

"Life will never be the same again as the memories are still very strong and will stay with us forever.

"I am glad that five people involved in this terrible crime are in prison. Those that co-operated with the police did get lesser sentences than perhaps they could have faced and there is no doubt they helped catch those responsible.

"But we have been told they expressed remorse. If that is the case, they should give details of others who we feel certain were involved. Genuine remorse should see them want to continue to help the police.

"I know police are hunting Shahid Mohammed, who went on the run, but others were involved in the plotting and planning of this terrible crime. They deserve justice."

Mr Shafique now plans to take a break, while his father Mr Abdul Aziz Chishti, younger brother Majid, 24, his sister Siddiqah and brother in law Rab Nawaz Khan flew out this week to spend two months in Pakistan.

Mr Shafique said: "They have gone to put the ordeal of the trial behind them and to pay their respects to our family, who were buried in Pakistan after the killings.

"It will be good for my father to have a change of scenery and to plan his future.

"We do not yet know where we will go. The house in Osborne Road is still boarded up after the fire and we are in talks with the insurance company about what to do.

"It will be better for us and for other neighbours in Osborne Road if something is done with the house, either by being repaired and used as a home again, or by being pulled down.

"There are so many memories in that house."

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