THE son of a murdered shopkeeper has made an emotional plea for his father's killer to be caught.
Abbas Ali spoke out following the tragic death of dad Javaid Ali, as police stepped up their probe.
As reported in later editions of last night's Evening Times, Abbas told of his father's "heartbreaking" death as he appealed for information to help find who was responsible.
Mr Ali, 48, was stabbed on June 15 in Sunshine Grocers, Green Road, Paisley, Renfrewshire. He died in the town's Royal Alexandra hospital last Friday. Senior police leading the hunt for the killer described the attack as "horrendous and vicious".
Abbas, 25, one of three sons, said: "Our family is absolutely devastated at the loss of my father. He was a wonderful father, husband, son and friend.
"I cannot put into words the suffering this has caused our family.
"My dad was an exceptionally hard worker and a great provider. He always put our needs first and did his best to provide my brothers and I with opportunities he did not have."
Abbas described how his father was a key part of the community and showed "genuine warmth and kindness" towards those who were less fortunate and vulnerable.
He added: "The brutal manner in which he was taken from us is very difficult to accept. I cannot bear to imagine the pain he might have been."
Two years ago, Mr Ali bravely fought off two robbers – one had a crossbow, the other had a knife.
More than 60 officers are currently working on the inquiry. They have visited 700 homes and taken up to 170 statements so far.
Detectives are still trying to trace two people; a man who was seen walking from the direction of Sunshine Grocers at 3pm on the day of the incident, and a young woman carrying Aldi shopping bags who was walking towards Green Road in the direction of the cycle track.
Detective Chief Inspector Duncan Sloan said: "This was a horrendous, vicious and unprovoked attack on a popular and well- respected member of the local community.
"I'm appealing for people in the community to come forward."
Police said they will maintain a large presence in the area both to gather information and to reassure any concerned residents.
Chief Superintendent Alan Spiers, divisional commander for the area, added: "We do not believe there is a racial motive. We believe the answer lies within the local community.
"We would urge people to dig deep into their conscience and if they know anything to come forward with vital information."
deborah.anderson@ eveningtimes.co.uk