Police issue new appeal for information in Sheffield murder enquiry

Assel Al-Essaie, 23, was shot dead in Daniel Hill in the Walkley area of the city on Saturday afternoon.

And today the senior investigating officer on the case appealed for the public’s help in tracing a vehicle that could prove crucial to the ongoing murder enquiry.

South Yorkshire Police’s Det Chief Insp Steve Whittaker said: “Our investigation into the murder of Mr Al-Essaie continues in earnest and today we have had officers out continuing to scour CCTV cameras and conducting house-to-house enquiries.

“Our enquiries so far have revealed a number of vehicles we are keen to trace, in particular a silver/grey Volkswagen Golf R with the registration plate PJ10 OJU.

“The picture we have released is similar, although I must stress the car we want to trace is a three-door car with an unusual twin exhaust at the back.

“We believe this is the vehicle used by the suspect or suspects involved in this murder and as a result, it’s incredibly important we hear from anyone who may have seen this car on Saturday in the hours before or after the shooting in Daniel Hill, Walkley.

“This car was later found abandoned and burned out in Rough Lane, Wortley, so any information you can give us about its movements would be greatly appreciated.

“Did you see this car on Saturday or the days prior? Do you know who may have been driving or travelling in that car? Any piece of information, no matter how small, could help us with our investigation.

“In addition, we’re also interested in tracing the movements of two Mercedes cars that were also seen in the Daniel Hill area at the time of the incident.

“We believe the victim was in a black Mercedes C Class car (registration plate LP66 RUH) when he was shot and then taken to hospital in a white Mercedes C Class car (registration plate NU15 PZF).”

A post-mortem examination concluded that Mr Al-Essaie died as a result of a gunshot wound to his chest.

A 30-year-old man arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder was yesterday released on bail pending further enquiries.

Anyone with information is asked to ring South Yorkshire Police’s 101 number or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.