Shopkeeper praised by Prince murdered for a few pounds

Five men, including one who was released from custody only 20 days before the attack, will be sentenced next month for their part in the bungled robbery which left Gurmail Singh dying on the floor of his shop.

Mr Singh, a grandfather of 18 who ran Cowcliffe Convenience Stores in Huddersfield, was hit seven times on the head with wine bottles from his shelves on the day after his 63rd birthday.

His death was so shocking it prompted Prince Charles to send Mr Singh's wife a letter, saying: "This country can ill-afford to lose such special people."

West Yorkshire Police said Mr Singh "died protecting what he had worked so very hard for, but he never stood a chance".

Yesterday, after two men were convicted of the murder and another three were told to await sentence for their role, Mr Singh's son Jas spoke for the first time about his family's anguish.

"We have sat through the whole trial and we have seen no remorse from those convicted, " he said. "No words can express the hatred for these individuals and utter revulsion at the crime they committed.

"We feel as a family that, no matter what the sentence is for those found guilty, it can never be enough."

Speaking outside his father's shop, Jas Singh said his mother's health had "deteriorated vastly" since her "loving and caring" husband's murder.

"It is my father's words we miss the most, " he said, "words like 'work hard', 'be honest in your endeavours', 'show respect and good manners to everyone you meet', 'help all those you can', 'take care of your family', 'think carefully of consequences before you make decisions' and 'never be afraid of standing up for your morals or principles'.

"We miss our father's patience, support, calmness, warmth, strength and love."

Muawaz Khalid, 20, and Nabeel Shafi, 18, from Huddersfield, were found guilty of murder by a jury after a six-week trial at Bradford Crown Court.

Three other men, also from Huddersfield, were cleared of killing Mr Singh but were convicted of other offences in relation to the February 20 attack.

The jury convicted Khalid and Umare Aslam, 20, of robbery. Shafi and Rehman Afzal, 18, pleaded guilty at an earlier court hearing to robbing Mr Singh.

Shoaib Khan, 18, who was released from custody for assault 20 days before the attack, was cleared of murder and robbery but admitted assisting an offender.

Mr Singh died as a result of a "robbery gone wrong" when he "did not meekly hand over his property, his hard-earned money", the court heard.

Smokers outside a pub realised something was wrong when they saw two men run from the store.

One man trapped the remaining two members of the gang inside by holding the door shut but they got out of a back door.

Both were tackled by other members of the public but managed to get away.

Jas Singh said: "We have had so much support from the people of Cowcliffe, who accepted my father and our family into the area.

"He was treated as a friend by all his customers and many are still affected that such a crime has been committed to an honest and hardworking family man.

"In particular our family would like to thank those who stood bravely to try to help my father both at the shop and during the trial."