They have been three long months of despair and desperation for his heartbroken family.

For until the case is finally closed, with the gunman safely behind bars, Tarek's family cannot find the peace of mind they so sorely deserve.

The murder of Tarek opened a door on a grim world of street violence which has cast a dark shadow over Burngreave. We have been shown that young men are living in a dangerous fantasy world where guns are becoming increasingly available and more readily used.

Burngreave's residents must be sick of the view that their neighbourhood is a hot bed of crime and violence. As with any inner city suburb, it has its problems. It also has its highlights - many of them, not least the decent and hard working people who live there.

The police have still to bring anyone to justice over the shooting. But that is not through want of effort: they have meticulously gone over the evidence and leads and will continue to do so until the case is solved.

It must be said, though, that someone holds vital evidence which will draw a veil over this sorry, sad saga.

We join the police in their appeal for that person to step forward and do the decent thing.

For Tarek's family and the wider community of Burngreave deserve nothing less.

Rise above petty political posturing

THE Government should act over concerns in Sheffield that cold weather payments are handed out in an unfair and haphazard manner.

The system which dictates that people living in some areas get the money while others don't because they live a couple of miles away, is nothing less than a mockery.

We appreciate that a letter from a Lib Dem council leader to a Labour Prime Minister will not be the most popular piece of correspondence. But this surely is an issue which ought to be beyond petty political posturing.