Car theft leads to murder

Kevin Jackson with sons Jake and Tom

Mother of two Julie Jackson was woken by the noise of thieves trying to break into her father's car.

She shouted to her husband Kevin, who was dozing on the sofa, and he dashed out of their Halifax home to confront the gang.

It was a decision that was to cost him his life and rob his family of a loving father.

The killing left the whole community in shock.

Tributes poured in after Mr Jackson's death

Mr Jackson was the victim of ruthless car thieves who had been on a three-month crime spree, and were attracted to his father-in-law's Toyota Rav 4 4x4 vehicle on 30 December 2001.

The 31-year-old chased after the thieves but they turned on him, savagely stabbing him in the head five times with a screwdriver.

As he lay injured, he was then beaten with a piece of wood.

The maintenance engineer, who had two sons Jake, seven, and Tom, 15 months, was rushed to hospital but died two days later, on New Year's Day.

After Mr Jackson's death his tearful widow Julie said: "We were a normal family enjoying Christmas with our two boys.

We were a normal family enjoying Christmas...I have lost my best friend.

Widow Julie Jackson

"I have had to take our seven-year-old son Jake to kiss daddy goodbye because he isn't coming home.

"I have lost my best friend."

Detective Superintendent Bob Bridgestock, who led the inquiry, said at the time: "This wasn't a fight. It was a sick and savage killing."

Kevin Jackson was a skilled engineer who had worked at Syngentia - formerly ICI and Zeneca - in Huddersfield since leaving school.

Neighbour Terry Dunn said: "Kevin was a nice person who didn't deserve to die like this trying to protect his property.

"He should be enjoying a New Year with his wife and two young boys. Now they have been left without a father."