Nine released without charge as hunt continues for killers
A takeaway driver was lured to his death in a pre-meditated 'brazen' attack - but police are no closer to finding his killers, an inquest has heard.
Nine people who were arrested in connection with the murder of father-of-two Yasar Abbas, who was ambushed by masked men while delivering a bogus food order in Walsall, have been released without charge.
He was set upon in Alumwell at around 12.20am on April 13 last year and died from his injuries in hospital four days later. His funeral on May 2 last year took place hours after his wife gave birth.
The inquest into his death at Smethwick Council House yesterday heard that a post mortem revealed he died of head injuries which were likely inflicted by a meat cleaver or axe.
Detective Inspector Gary Plant, from West Midlands Police's homicide investigation team, told the hearing that those who had been arrested and bailed in connection with the 28-year-old's killing have now been released without charge. He said the decision was taken after the Crown Prosecution Service viewed there was insufficient evidence to charge any of the suspects.
But he added after the hearing that they were still hopeful of finding Mr Abbas's killers: "I'm always confident we will find the people responsible.
"It is still an ongoing investigation. Someone has information out there and can help us."
The inquest found Mr Abbas had been 'unlawfully killed'.
DI Plant told the inquest that the attack on the former Alumwell Comprehensive School student, who had been delivering a Chinese takeaway in Madison Avenue, had been 'premeditated'
He said police believed the attack was connected to an incident in February last year which involved a disagreement between two teenagers and led to confrontations between their families which had involved Mr Abbas.
He said: "I believe this to be a premeditated attack on Mr Abbas, which was planned and organised to lure Mr Abbas to Madison Avenue that evening to facilitate that attack."
Assistant coroner Zafar Siddique said it had been a 'brazen and bold attack' which was intended to cause serious harm and offered his condolences to Mr Abbas' family.
Delivering his conclusion yesterday, he said: "Mr Abbas was targeted and unlawfully killed with a weapon."
The inquest was told that Mr Abbas had worked for Moon Palace – a Chinese Takeaway in Old Birchills. DI Plant said he shared his time between living with his wife and young son Daniel in Blackburn and working in Walsall as a takeaway driver.
His relatives, in Birchills, made an emotional plea for information last year in a bid to catch his killers and said he had only taken the job a matter of weeks before to help save for a Moses basket.
Meanwhile, Crimestoppers put up a £10,000 cash reward for information leading to a conviction.
Anyone with information should call the police on 101.
