Widow's plea a year on from murder of Walsall takeaway driver

Today his widow and detectives and a grieving widow have renewed their appeal for information to try to bring his killers to justice.

Father of two Mr Abbas was attacked at around 12.20am on April 13 last year by masked ambushers in Alumwell where he was lured with a bogus takeaway order.

Mr Abbas ? whose partner was expecting a child at the time of his death ? died from head injuries inflicted by a 'heavy bladed weapon', according to a post mortem. Police believe it was a planned attack. The baby boy, Mohammed, was born on May 2 last year just hours after his father's funeral. His brother Daniel, aged four, was today revealed to still be asking when his daddy would be coming home.

Nine people have been arrested in the past 12 months and all remain on police bail while enquiries continue.

Mr Abbas was attacked while delivering a Chinese takeaway in Madison Avenue ? an address believed to have been given by the killers who had planned to trap the 28-year-old.

He died days later in Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital following three operations to try and relieve swelling around his brain.

Mr Abbas's wife, Shabnam Bi, said: "Everyone talks about how quick a year has gone by since my husband's death but for me and our children this year has gone by so slowly and painfully. It seems like we have not had him around for such a long time. I just wish we could get some peace of mind by knowing his murderers are locked up.

"It has been so awful for me and our two children and the worst thing is that our four-year-old to this day doesn't know his father has passed away as he is too young to understand how people can be so evil and take someone's life like that.

"Our youngest child, who is turning one year, didn't even see his father and he will have to live with the pain for the rest of his life knowing his dad was buried on the same day that he was born. The only thing that would make it a bit easier for us is if we get justice for my husband's death. There has not been a day where we haven't thought about him.

"My four-year-old is so distressed he keeps asking me when his Daddy is coming back home and he has been excited about his birthday coming up as he thinks his dad will come back for it. What makes it all worse is that the people who have made us suffer so much are still out there.

"Nothing can bring my husband and our children's father back but knowing that the people who did this to me and our children are getting punished will make life a lot easier for us."

Detective Inspector Gary Plant said: "A year has passed since Yasar died and we continue to investigate his murder.

"His anniversary is a particularly difficult time for Yasar's wife and her young sons. Her youngest son is approaching his first birthday following his birth on the day of Yasar's funeral last year.

"We remain hopeful that someone will come forward with information about Mr Abbas' killers to help us put them behind bars.

"Yasar was a well-liked, popular member of the community ? literally thousands of people turned out for his funeral. I'd urge anyone with information to contact Crimestoppers and help us get justice for his family."

Police believe the killers arrived at the scene in a dark-coloured car that was parked in nearby Rippon Road and left immediately after the attack. A blue 62-plate BMW 5-series was also seen in the area earlier that night and is of interest to the inquiry.

Yasar's brother-in-Law, Aftab Hussain, said his family desperately wanted the killers brought to justice, adding: "We're all in limbo at the moment… our lives are at a standstill. This hasn't just affected a handful of people: we've lost a dad, a son, a nephew and the community has lost a friend and good neighbour. Yasar was a kind, polite man, got on great with youngsters around here and respected his elders ? we can't understand why he's been attacked."

Anyone with information is asked to call West Midlands Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111