THE detectives who trapped the Birkby firebombers have been commended.
Det Supt Bob Bridgestock, Det Insp John Halstead and their team were praised by trial judge Mr Justice Andrew Smith.
There was also praise for the two Huddersfield detectives, Det Con John Lee and Det Con Christine Freeman, who became the vital liaison officers for the family throughout the inquiry and the trial.
The judge praised the officers after a six-week trial which saw one man given eight life jail sentences for eight murders and two more given 18-year sentences for eight counts of manslaughter.
They were part of a gang which firebombed a family home in Birkby on May 12 last year, killing eight people.
There was also praise for the police team from the survivors of the horrific blaze.
Family spokesman Muhammed Shafique said: "We thank the police from the bottom of our hearts.
"Mr Bridgestock and his team went far beyond the call of duty to help us. Every member of the family wants to thank every one of the officers involved.
"We are also extremely grateful to the West Yorkshire Fire Service, the Co-op Funeral Service for their culturally sensitive handling of the funeral service, the Alfred McAlpine Stadium management, who hosted the event, and Tom Irwin at Kirklees Education Services.
"The police have become our friends. They have done their job extremely diligently. We cannot fault them in any shape or form."
Mr Rab Nawaz Khan, the husband of Nafeesa and father of her five daughters who perished in the blaze, added his thanks.
He also said: "I would like to thank the Examiner for its coverage. It has really explained what happened in court.
"I would also like to thank it for the appeal and fundraising.
"The family would have found it very difficult to raise the money for the funeral and the transport of the bodies back to Pakistan had it not been for them.
"The fund was extremely helpful."
Det Supt Bridgestock, who led the investigation for West Yorkshire Police, said: "I hope our efforts, and those of the prosecution, have brought some satisfaction to the family that people have been convicted.
"This was a very sad and devastating crime. Eight lives lost, eight senseless killings."
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