Birthday appeal over car killing

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Police are appealing for anyone who knows who was driving a car which killed a 23-year-old man in Manchester to come forward with information.

David Lees, 23, was hit by a vehicle - which then drove away - in Prestwich in October, after trouble flared among groups of white and Asian people.

The incident happened on Middleton Road, outside a petrol station.

Mr Lees would have celebrated his 24th birthday on Friday. His family have joined police in their appeal.

'Shattered lives'

Mr Lees parents, Don and Ann Lees, said: "He was taken from us on that fateful night and our hearts are broken.

"The pain isn't easing and maybe when we get justice for him, we can start to rebuild our shattered lives.

"If you have any information which can assist the police in catching the person responsible for the senseless murder of our son, please contact them."

The Lees' lost their youngest son weeks before the murder

About 20 people were seen arguing on the forecourt of the BP garage, close to Heaton Park, in the early hours of Saturday 28 October.

Mr Lees, from Blackley, had been among a group of people involved in a row with some Asian youths.

He suffered fatal head injuries and later died at North Manchester General Hospital.

Det Ch Insp Sam Haworth, from Greater Manchester Police, said officers had already spoken to several witnesses.

"I am certain there are still people who know exactly what happened in Prestwich on that Saturday evening and know exactly who was driving the car that knocked David down.

"It's those people that I directly appeal to today."

Mr Lees family is holding a memorial fun day on Saturday in honour of David and his younger brother Paul, who died only weeks before Mr Lees' murder.

It will take place at Our Lady's Roman Catholic School in Blackley in aid of Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury.