NRI shopkeeper killed in UK teenage gang attack

A popular Indian-origin shopkeeper in the Yorkshire town of Huddersfield has been killed while trying to repel a gang of hooded teenagers who were trying to rob him.

Gurmail Singh, 63, suffered head injuries and fell to the ground during the scuffle at his shop, and died of his injuries at the Huddersfield Royal Infirmary yesterday. 

A group of passers-by tried to prevent the gang of four leaving the shop but they eventually forced their way out after a struggle.

The police is treating his death as murder. 

The gang, all in their teens and wearing dark hooded tops and tracksuit bottoms, went into his shop on Friday night. 

Six passers-by heard a commotion inside the building and went to help. Although none of them was injured, they were unable to prevent the gang from fleeing into the night. 

Detective superintendent David Pervin, who is leading the investigation, said: "Mr Singh was a well-known and popular
local businessman who had been in this area many years.

"I appeal for anyone with information to contact us as a matter of urgency". 

Neighbour Ian Davison said there was a drugs problem in the area that was "getting out of hand", adding Singh's death had left the local community shocked. 

"He was a really popular, lovely bloke. You couldn't wish to meet a nicer bloke than Mr Singh," Davison said.