THE killer of taxi driver Mohammed Akram may have been saved from being caught by the weather.

A video camera operates at an airport car parking firm near a field off Isherwood Road, Carrington, where his body was found - but a fog on the night of the murder meant it didn't reveal anything.

Det Ch Insp David Gifford said the police have been unable to trace any clues leading to the murderer or establish a motive for the cold-blooded killing a year ago - despite a wide-ranging investigation.

He told an inquest at Sale: "A video covers Isherwood Road from the air park - but fog came down that Sunday night and the video is no use."

The detective said of Mr Akram: "Not one person has anything bad to say about him. Everyone says he was a nice man. No one from his background, going back 20 years, can give us any indication that he had fallen out with anyone or had any disputes."

Thirty-eight year-old Mr Akram, from Rochdale, was shot dead at point blank range with a shotgun a year ago. His body was spotted by cyclist John Stonier as he took his normal route to work.

Mr Akram's wife Sarwari broke down as she described him as a 'caring husband and loving father' to their five children. She said he kept his own problems to himself.

His brother, Mohammed Aslam, said he could think of no reason why anyone would want to kill him: "He was a real gentleman, he did not owe any money and I have never seen him with another woman." He would often work 15-hour shifts.

Mr Akram's Toyota Corolla was found on Bromley Avenue, Flixton, a mile and a half from where he was killed.

It is believed the car had been dumped before Mr Akram was shot.

Coroner John Pollard praised the extensive police investigation as being 'absolutely exemplary'.

A seven strong jury returned a verdict of unlawful killing.

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