CCTV lead in taxi driver murder

The taxi driver was murdered just two weeks after the birth of his child

Officers investigating the brutal murder of a Keighley taxi driver have released CCTV footage of a man they are eager to trace.

The body of Mahmood Ahmed, 36, of Highfield, was found at the side of the road in Slack Lane on Tuesday. He had been stabbed and battered to death.

The CCTV footage captures a man outside the Merry Melon Fruit and Veg shop in Oakworth Road, talking on a mobile.

He then gets into a silver car, thought to be Mr Ahmed's Vauxhall Vectra taxi.

Det Supt Paul Kennedy, who is leading the enquiry, said: "Speedline Taxis in Keighley, for which Mahmood worked, received a call at 10.35pm from a man calling himself Steve.

"He asked for a taxi to pick him up outside the Merry Melon and take him to the Newsholme Manor restaurant, in Slack Lane at Oakworth.

"We are investigating the possibility that the man shown in this CCTV footage is the man who called himself Steve. This may not be his real name.

"Mahmood set off to pick up his fare and we have no confirmed sightings of him after that."

Police believe the man in this picture may hold vital clues

Police are also investigating a reported sighting of Mr Ahmed's car driving at speed on Ingrow Lane between 11pm and 11.15pm on Monday. That is half a mile from Maize Street, where his car was found abandoned on Tuesday.

Det Supt Kennedy said the enquiry team was being given tremendous support from the Keighley community.

He said: "People are shocked by what has happened to Mahmood and they want to help us find whoever did this to him. We are also receiving a lot of support from taxi drivers in Keighley who are equally appalled that one of their colleagues has been killed like this.

"From speaking with Mahmood's family, friends and colleagues it is obvious he was held in very high regard. They tell us he worked hard and loved his family. No-one has been able to give any reason as to why anyone would want to kill him.

"I have spent some more time with members of Mahmood's family this morning and they still cannot believe what has happened. They need answers, they need to know who did this to Mahmood and why."

Det Supt Kennedy said Mr Ahmed's car was being forensically examined but it was a lengthy process and until it is completed the car cannot be searched to see if anything is missing.