Police appeal for Birmingham teen girl to help Ian Kirwan murder investigation at Asda in Redditch

Police are appealing for a teenage girl seen on CCTV who could help piece together the murder of a man who was stabbed in front of shoppers at Asda.

Ian Kirwan was fatally knifed outside the store in Redditch, after bumping into a gang of "feral" youths. Despite the best efforts of medics, the 53-year-old software engineer died at the scene shortly before 8pm on March 8.

West Mercia Police have now released a CCTV image of a girl they say is not believed to have been involved in the murder but “may have information” about the killers.

A spokesperson said: “The women travelled by train from Selly Oak to Redditch around 6.30pm on Tuesday 8 March. She is described as white with long blonde or brown hair. She was wearing a cream or stone coloured coat and black trousers and was carrying a cream fabric shopping bag.

“Ian died in an incident outside Asda on Jinnah Road around 8pm on Tuesday 8 March. She is not believed to have been involved in the incident itself. Officers believe she may have information about the murder."

Following his murder, his heartbroken family revealed "gentle and caring" Ian had overcome a stroke and hoped to become a dad with his wife.

Aunt Maureen Haycocks, 77, said: "He would do anything for anybody. If someone was to break down at the side of the road, he would be the one to pull over. He was like a son to me. We are all just devastated." Maureen said her nephew had gone to B&Q to grab a couple of things before walking over to Asda where he was attacked.

She added: "Some wicked people have his life and for what? Bumping into them? He probably would have said ‘I’m sorry’ and yet they’ve gone for him.

"It sounds like they were on a mission. If it wasn’t Ian, it could have been someone else. Why have kids got knives? It makes you afraid to go anywhere."

Five youths, some as young as 14, have been charged with Ian’s murder. West Mercia Police have not disclosed the ages of the suspects, all from south Birmingham.

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