Police Go Back To Murder Crime Scene

22 May 2013, 12:25

Detectives investigating the murder of Kempston man Sharif Demirsay were back at the scene of the murder last night (Tuesday) doing night time checks a week to the day of his murder.

Turkish-born Sharif, 65, was killed in his home at Vineyard Way on Tuesday 14th May at about 9.30pm, when three men knocked at his door and when he opened it, they stabbed him to death in front of his partner.

Painstaking forensic work has been going on at the house ever since then, and detectives from the Major Crime Unit and local area have been examining CCTV from the local area and conducting interviews with residents on Hartwell Drive and surrounding areas.

Last night the team took the mobile police station to Vineyard Way, which is at the top of Hartwell Drive, and stopped cars and pedestrians as they passed in an effort to find people who may have been in the area during the evening but don’t necessarily live there.

During the incident, Sharif’s 68-year-old partner bravely tried to defend him, but could not stop the attack and was herself threatened and stabbed in the arm. The offenders then stole items from her handbag including about £1000 in cash which was intended for use at a family wedding, and some gold jewellery of great sentimental value including that bought for her own marriage.  

The high-purity gold Asian-style jewellery is described as:

  • Eight bangles, high purity gold, six thin and two half-inch wide, all with designs on the outside.
  • One plain heavy gold ring
  • Three rings with imitation stones – one with a green and a white stone, one with a large red stone with other white stones, and one with green, red and white stones.
  • A pair of drop earrings, with bell-shaped bottoms
  • Two chains, one chain with a leaf design all over and other with a bead on it
  • Gold earrings with red stones and cut-out design           

She is now recovering from her injuries and being supported by trained police family liaison officers. Unsurprisingly, she is traumatised by witnessing the violent death of Sharif, who she lived with for over 20 years.

While the forensic work will finish in the next day or two, detectives and local uniformed officers will remain in the area working from the mobile police station for the next few days. Over the weekend, local PCSOs have leaflet-dropped most of the estate and posters are now also up along Hartwell Drive, appealing for information.

The CCTV of the offenders entering and leaving the house, released on Friday to the public, has been viewed nearly 20,000 times via the force’s website and social media sites and senior investigating officer Det Chief Insp Tim Redfearn is still urging people to come forward with information.    

“Last night I went to see Sharif’s partner, who witnessed him being brutally stabbed in front her in the home they shared together. It was a very emotional meeting and I can only describe this lady as being utterly devastated.

“Three men entered Sharif’s home and we need to identify them and why they did this. If you were in the area last Tuesday night, if you saw or heard anything, or if you have seen anyone with this distinctive jewellery, please phone us or speak to one of the officers on the estate,” he said. “However small or unimportant you think your information is, please don’t discount it, make contact with us.”