Police launch murder inquiry after rock fan dies at city gig

Andrew Crawford, 44, died in Leeds General Infirmary in the early hours of yesterday after he was repeatedly struck on the head and punched to the ground in the city centre.

Detectives are investigating whether the fatal attack on Thursday night was linked to an earlier incident at the heavy metal concert at the O2 Academy.

Mr Crawford, a father of one, had been to the venue with his cousin and a friend for a concert by rock band Motorhead.

But the friend left early after someone set his hair on fire.

It is believed that after leaving the O2 Academy, Mr Crawford and his cousin thought they spotted two men responsible and a confrontation followed in Dudley Way near the car park to The Light shopping centre and Leeds Cathedral at around 11.10pm.

Mr Crawford suffered serious head injuries and was taken to Leeds General Infirmary but died just after 2am yesterday. His cousin, who was also assaulted, suffered facial injuries.

Det Supt Paul Taylor of West Yorkshire Police's Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, who is leading the investigation, said: "Mr Crawford is a father of one with a partner and had previously been married.

"He was unknown to police and our inquiries lead us to believe that he was an honest and upstanding member of our community who worked hard in his job as the manager at a builder's merchant.

"Violence of this nature is rare in Leeds city centre but is totally unacceptable, and has robbed a young man of his father and a woman of her partner.

"Officers are making extensive, detailed enquiries to trace the people responsible, and I am confident that we will be able to trace them. I would urge those people to come forward as soon as possible to give their account of what happened."

Mr Crawford, of Wesley View, Pudsey, Leeds, leaves an 18-year-old son.

Det Supt Taylor appealed to anyone with information about either incident to contact police.