THREE youngsters have been charged with the murder of a Dewsbury teenager.
The boys will be in court today, alongside a 20-year-old man, charged with the murder and robbery of Amar Aslam.
West Yorkshire Police said the man and three boys would appear at Dewsbury Magistrates Court charged with murdering 17-year-old Amar, who died in Crow Nest Park in Dewsbury on Sunday.
Three other juveniles arrested have been released on police bail pending further inquiries, police said.
A post-mortem examination revealed Amar died of head injuries.
Meanwhile, council chiefs have defended Dewsbury’s damaged reputation following the attack.
Kirklees Council leader Robert Light said the town was a “great place” and denied there was a problem with gang warfare.
Speaking at a special press conference in Crow Nest Park he said: “It is really important that we look at the detail of what we have here.
“People like to talk about Dewsbury and unfortunately it’s not for the positive reasons we would like.
“No-one wants to see a killing but it’s not the sensationalist type of murder portrayed by some media outlets.
“A young man has been killed but we have seen a response by the community and the police at a rapid rate.
“It isn’t the gang warfare we have seen portrayed in some sections of the media.
“I am disappointed because, to the outside world, what are they thinking about Dewsbury?
“For someone who has known this town all my life, I really struggle. Dewsbury is a great place with a great community.
“It has a hell of a lot going for it.”
Amar’s death came less than six months after another 17-year-old, Ahmed Hassan, was stabbed to death at Dewsbury railway station in December.
The town earned further unwanted headlines following the Shannon Matthews case in March and the subsequent string of arrests.
But, standing shoulder to shoulder with Clr Jim Dodds, Cabinet member for children’s services, and Dewsbury South councillor Khizar Iqbal, Mr Light insisted Amar’s death was a one-off.
He said: “People have got to appreciate this is an isolated incident.
“Not to underplay it – a young man has lost his life – but it is not typical.”
And he added: “We have a beautiful park here and people shouldn’t be worried or threatened when coming into it.
“After any incident like this, normal life must go on.”
