Muslim shopper battered to death in 'race attack'

An Asian was battered to death in a suspected racist attack as he walked to the shops.

Asaf Mahmood Ahmed, a 28-year-old Muslim, was found dying in an alleyway and witnesses have told police they heard racial insults moments earlier.

A 15-year-old and an 18-year-old were arrested on suspicion of murder and were being questioned in custody last night.

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Mr Ahmed was found lying on the ground shortly before 10pm on Friday at the back of Derby Ward Labour Club in Deane, Bolton.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, and police have revealed that he had suffered severe head injuries.

Local people have said the area where he was apparently attacked is a well-known haunt of youths selling drugs.

Deane is home to much of Bolton's large Muslim population and is only 14 miles from Oldham, which endured several nights of race riots in the summer of 2001.

But detectives have stressed that community relations in the area are generally good and have appealed for calm.

Superintendent Andy Durkin, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "We are treating this as a racist incident because of language and comments that were overheard by witnesses at and immediately after the incident.

"This is not connected with any other incidents in Bolton and all evidence points to the fact that these are individuals acting alone and against the good-natured spirit in that community."

A woman driver died when her car careered off the road shortly after police were alerted to missiles being thrown at passing vehicles.

The 40-year-old driver, who has not been named, was killed when her red Vauxhall Corsa smashed into trees off the A127 at Dunton, near Basildon, in Essex, late on Saturday night.

She was on her own in the car driving towards her home in Shoeburyness, near Southend.

A police spokesman said two other motorists had reported missiles being thrown at the spot minutes earlier.

He added: "Anyone with information is asked to contact police."