Taxi Driver Appeal In Murdered Boss Inquiry

Police investigating the murder of a drinks company boss at his warehouse are trying to track down a taxi driver spotted near the scene.

Akhtar Javeed, 56, was shot dead on Wednesday evening as masked men tried to rob his warehouse in Birmingham.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Martin Slevin said: "This is a fast-paced inquiry as we continue to piece together the circumstances that led to Mr Javeed's death.

"We are keen to trace the driver of a private hire vehicle believed to be a saloon which followed a vehicle with no lights on from Rea Street South turning left into MacDonald Street at around 6.40pm.

"We believe this was a targeted robbery attempt at the business premises in Rea Street South, near to the junction with MacDonald Street.

"It happened at a time when other people may have been leaving work for the day and someone may have seen what happened or have important information about the suspects."

In a statement Mr Javeed's family said he was "an honest man who valued his family more than anything else".

They added: "Please help bring closure to our family and justice for him.

"He was cruelly taken away from us and his young children who will now have to grow up without their father. Please help us."

Analysis of bullets found at the scene showed the weapon which fired them is not linked to any other crime.

:: Any witnesses should contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.