Have-a-go man 'left to die'

A murder inquiry into the death of a man, who was attacked while chasing would-be car thieves, has begun in West Yorkshire.

Kevin Jackson, 31, died in hospital on Tuesday after suffering serious head injuries in an attack outside his home in Copley Lane, Halifax.

He was left for dead after chasing two young men who were trying to steal a car belonging to his wife's parents at 0200 GMT on 30 December.

Detective Superintendent Bob Bridgestock, who is leading the murder investigation, called it a "sadistic " attack.

The devastation that has been caused to his wife and family is immeasurable

Bob Bridgestock, West Yorkshire Police

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said Mr Jackson had given chase outside his home after he and his wife had disturbed two men attempting to steal the Toyota car.

He chased the two men for 50 yards down Copley Lane while his wife ran back to the house to call the police.

Police said Mr Jackson was beaten up by the two men, who left him lying injured in the road.

He was helped by a taxi driver before an ambulance arrived.

He was taken to Halifax hospital but did not regain consciousness.

'Savage attack'

Det Supt Bob Bridgestock said: "Kevin acted instinctively in a way that most of us would do if we caught someone breaking into our property.

"It's an extremely sickening attack during which he received a particularly savage attack to the head and was sadistically left to die in the road.

"The devastation that has been caused to his wife and family is immeasurable."

Det Supt Bridgestock also appealed to local car criminals to come forward and help identify Mr Jackson's attackers.

Forensic tests

He said: "There should be no loyalty to these people. This was an over-the-top and unnecessary death and I'm asking for help to name those responsible."

Mr Jackson worked as a maintenance engineer and leaves a wife, Julie, and two sons, Jake, seven and Tom, 15 months.

A post mortem examination is due to take place on Wednesday and house-to-house inquiries are continuing as well as forensic tests on the Toyota.

The two men seen trying to break into the car are described as between 18 and 22 years old with short dark hair.

One was sitting inside the vehicle when they were spotted.