Two more held over shopkeeper murders

Two more youths were being held today by police investigating the murder of a shopkeeper bludgeoned to death during a robbery at his store.

The 17 year olds were arrested on suspicion of murdering Gurmail Singh, who died after the raid on the shop in the Cowcliffe area of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, on February 20.

Officers from West Yorkshire Police have also been granted more time to question another 17 year old and a 20 year old over the killing after they were arrested at the weekend.

A third 17-year-old boy, who was detained on Saturday on suspicion of murder and robbery, has been bailed pending further inquiries.

Mr Singh, 63, received serious head injuries when he was struck at least nine times with a weapon, believed to be a hammer, and died in hospital early the following morning.

A spokeswoman for the force said one of the 17 year olds, from the Bradley area of Huddersfield, was arrested on Monday. The other, from the Fartown area, was held yesterday morning.

Mr Singh was a well-respected shopkeeper who many people described as a pillar of the community.

He came to the UK in 1963 and he leaves a wife, two adult sons and a daughter. He also celebrated his 63rd birthday the day before he died.

Dozens of bunches of flowers were laid outside the shopkeeper's home, which is a short distance from the store.

On Monday, a 17-year-old A-level student was remanded in custody at Huddersfield Magistrates Court charged with robbing Mr Singh of cigarettes at his store two days before the fatal attack.