Murder charge after Thornhill Lees violence leave man dead…
A man appeared in court yesterday (Thursday) charged with murder after a Thornhill Lees assault victim died.
Nisar Shah, 39, of Victoria Road, Thornhill Lees, was remanded in custody at Dewsbury Magistrates’ Court accused over an incident near his home at around 6.45pm last Sunday.
Victim Jack Carter, also 39, of Bretton Street, was left with critical head injuries following an alleged attack as he visited friends. He later died at Dewsbury District Hospital.
The attack on Mr Carter occurred after an incident last Friday in which an Asian teenager was allegedly stabbed in a confrontation in Victoria Road, in what was claimed at first by locals to be a gang fight.
Rumours circulated in Thornhill Lees claiming it was a racially-motivated attack and that the English Defence League was somehow involved. But The Press understands the initial clash arose out of a months-long feud between neighbours over complaints of anti-social behaviour.
An Asian family are believed to have complained to the authorities about the alleged behaviour of the white family next door for up to a year.
That set of circumstances came to a head around 8pm on Friday when a man is claimed to have left the scene of a row and returned with a knife. It is thought a teenage Asian male suffered minor injuries.
Three other people, his mother, brother and younger sister, were apparently unhurt.
In a second incident on Sunday Mr Carter – who was not at the scene on Friday – was attacked in what may have been a possible case of mistaken identity.
Mr Carter had been visiting the white family at the centre of the original dispute, with whom he is said to be friends, and may have become the unwitting victim of a ‘revenge’ attack.
Mr Carter’s cousin, Paul Carter, said the family had mounted a vigil at his bedside in Dewsbury District Hospital’s intensive care unit.
Paul said: “He’s a bit of a Jack the lad, but he wouldn’t hurt anyone and he definitely didn’t deserve this.
“It may have been mistaken identity.”
Confusion over the alleged involvement of right-wing extremists may stem from Jack Carter having an EDL logo on his personal Facebook page.
However any involvement by the right-wing group was denied by all three Dewsbury South Kirklees councillors afterwards.
A meeting was held between councillors, police and officials from other groups on Wednesday to discuss the incidents.
Coun Khizar Iqbal (Con, Dewsbury South), who was at the meeting, said: “This had nothing to do with the English Defence League or gang violence.
“It was a dispute between neighbours that sadly escalated. My thoughts are with Mr Carter’s family, especially his parents.”
Four men, including Shah, were arrested over the two incidents.
One man remains in police custody and two others have been released without charge.
Police are still seeking witnesses. Anyone with information can call Dewsbury CID on 01924 431095 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
