HE’S a fugitive wanted in connection with Huddersfield’s most horrific murder case.

Now detectives have launched a new appeal to find suspect Shahid Mohammed.

And they are aiming their appeal directly at relatives and friends in Huddersfield in a bid to track down the man who jumped bail six years ago.

Monday sees the sixth anniversary of the terrifying arson attack on a house in Huddersfield that killed eight members of the same family.

Mohammed, 25, has not been seen since he was released on police bail after being arrested in connection with the fatal fire in Osborne Road, Birkby, on May 12, 2002.

Muhammad Ateeq-ur-Rehman, 18, Nefessa Aziz, 35, Tayyaba Batool, 13, Rabia Batool, 10, Ateeqa Nawaz, five, Aneesa Nawaz, two, and six-month-old Najeeba Nawaz all died in the fire.

Zaib-un-Nisa, 54, died in hospital a week later.

In 2003, after a trial at Leeds Crown Court, Shaied Iqbal was found guilty of eight murders while Shakiel Shazad and Nasar Hussain were both convicted of eight counts of manslaughter.

But there was evidence given during the trial that Shahid Mohammed was a key figure involved in the arson attack.

Det Chief Insp John Halstead, who is leading the investigation, said Mohammed is known to have strong links with Pakistan but also with London, Birmingham and Leicester.

He said: “West Yorkshire Police, via the family liaison officers, have regular contact with the Chishti family from Birkby, who cannot draw a line under these tragic circumstances when Shahid Mohammed is still at large.

“People may have protected or assisted him in evading arrest and I specifically want to appeal to friends and associates of Shahid Mohammed to examine their conscience and to give information as to his whereabouts.”

Shahid Mohammed, who would now be aged 25, was arrested in the initial phases of the murder investigation. He was held by police for a total of 96 hours before being released on police bail pending further enquiries. He has never answered that bail and has not been seen since.

Mr Halstead said: “Six years on, we are continuing to actively trace Shahid Mohammed working with national and international law enforcement agencies. Information suggests that he has been living outside of the UK, particularly in Pakistan.

“We are working with the Foreign Office, the Home Office and the Pakistan authorities as there is no formal extradition arrangement between the UK and Pakistan.

“We need a legal framework in place so that, if Shahid Mohammed is traced, we can bring him back here to face justice.

“There are suggestions he may have returned to the UK but I think that would be very dangerous for him. This is a man who was brought up here, went to Moor End School and was a student in Huddersfield and I am sure he has many friends and acquaintances .

“I am appealing directly to those people – search your consciences and bring to an end a case that has gone on for six years.

“Shahid Mohammed may think he has got away with his crimes. That is not the case.”

Anyone with any information should call Huddersfield Police Help Desk on 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.