New leads on fire suspect

Shahid Mohammed is missing

Detectives looking for a suspect in connection with the deaths of eight people in a house fire, are following new leads after an appeal on the BBC Crimewatch programme.

Shahid Mohammed, 20, from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, was arrested in the initial phases of the murder investigation and later released on police bail.

But he failed to return to Huddersfield police station in May 2002 and has not been seen since.

Police say they received several phone calls during the programme on Wednesday night and would now be visiting several addresses in a bid to track him down.

Five sisters, their mother and their uncle died during the fire at their terraced house in Osborne Road, Birkby, Huddersfield, on 12 May, 2002.

Nafeesa Aziz with her children

Their grandmother died a week later at Leeds General Infirmary.

Detective Inspector John Halstead, who is leading the investigation, said: "There are several leads that we will actively be following up.

"We would also like to appeal to those who know Shahid Mohammed to come forward and speak to us.

"Despite such grief being caused to the Chisti family as a result of events of 12 May last year there are still people showing loyalty towards this man."

One man was found guilty of eight murders and jailed for life at Leeds Crown Court earlier this year.

Two other men were each convicted of eight counts of manslaughter and jailed for 18 years.