A FATHER and his two sons have been cleared of the murder of a relative after new evidence came to light.

Mr Abdul Raja Qayyum, 62, died on Saturday, March 30, this year after a family argument at his home in Halifax Road, Brierfield.

Now his brother-in-law Mazamal Hussain, 49, and his two sons, Shamshar Ali, 23 and Tamzar Ali, 21, all of Halifax Road, have been freed by Judge Mr Justice Curtis at Preston Crown Court.

The decision was made after the police and the CPS decided to discontinue the case because of new evidence.

Defence solicitor, David Leach said CCTV proved Shamshar Ali was working at IMEX Business Park in Lomeshaye Industrial Estate as a security guard at the time of the incident.

The Crown invited the court to enter a not guilt verdict in relation to all three defendants.

District Crown Prosecutor Ian Rushton said: "We have been consulting with the police since the last hearing and through the police with defendants.

"Further evidence came to light which meant we could not safely continue with the proceedings against any of the three men.

"All parties, including the family of the deceased, were notified before hand and Mr Justice Curtis said he was content the case had been dealt with properly."

Originally six members of the same family were charged with murder and held in custody for two months before being released on bail. Mr Hussain's wife, Sanwar Begum, 44, the sister of the deceased, and the couple's sons-in-law Mazhar Aklaq, 27, and Raja Khadim, 26, had the charges against them dropped earlier this year because of a lack of evidence.

Shamshar Ali said he and his family were relieved at the verdict.

He said: "It goes withou2t saying that the whole family are absolutely delighted with this outcome.

"I had maintained from the start that I was at work on the day when Raja Qayyam died.

"I am just happy that the truth has eventually come out into the open and that the Crown fully accepted that I could not have been at Halifax Road on that day between 3.30pm and 4pm.

"We were deeply saddened and shocked at the death, he was a role model and an inspiration to all and was like a father to us who will be sadly missed."

His father, Mazamal added: "Raja was like a big brother to me. I had a lot of respect for him so I was shocked when I was accused of murdering him."2

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Johnson said: "New evidence uncovered by police during their investigation raised doubts regarding the exact circumstances of Mr Qayyam's death.

"Following consideration of all the evidence by leading counsel, on behalf of the CPS it has been decided to discontinue proceedings against all those charged.

"It is not anticipated there will be any further investigation into the circumstances of the death."

Detective Sergeant Pete Simm added: "We are not looking for anyone else in connection to this incident.

"The exact cause of death will be made public once the coroner has determined his verdict."