A BRADFORD father-of-three, killed in a street stabbing 25 years ago today, was “in the wrong place at the wrong time”.

Brendan Penn was only 22 when he was stabbed through the heart as he walked to a friend’s house in Cecil Avenue, Little Horton. Mr Penn, whose daughter Charlotte, had been born only three weeks earlier, was found lying on the pavement. He had been caught up in a violent dispute between two groups. Mr Penn died in Bradford Royal Infirmary.

West Yorkshire Police today mounted a new appeal for information to find the person responsible for Mr Penn’s death, which happened during a disturbance at about midnight on August 15, 1991.

At the time there was an extensive police investigation. A number of people were arrested and some were charged with affray, but the young dad’s killer has never been found.

But Mr Penn’s murder is one of a number of cases reviewed regularly by officers at West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, who use advances in forensic science to re-examine evidence and establish if there are any new lines of inquiry.

Brendan’s brother, Tony Penn, 50, said today: “Brendan was a young man who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“His three young children have now all grown up, not knowing who was responsible for the murder of their dad. He would have been a grandad had he been alive today.

“After 25 years of not knowing who killed Brendan, it’s time we had closure, and we can only get that when the person who murdered him has been convicted.

“We ask anyone who may have any information about how Brendan died to please come forward and speak with the police.”

Charlotte is now 25, while Mr Penn’s other daughters, Tammy and Roxanne, are 27 and 26.

At the time of the murder he lived with his partner, Suzanne Wood, and their children, in St Mary’s Crescent, Wyke, Bradford. Mr Penn, a former pupil of St Blaise Roman Catholic School in Bierley, was described then as a “wonderful man” who doted on his children.

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Dunkerley, who is leading the investigation, said: “It is now 25 years since Brendan was suddenly taken from his family and they are still searching for answers.

“We still believe there will be people in the local community who will know who was responsible for his death. We urge them to come forward, so his family can have some closure. Allegiances may have changed in the time that has passed and people may now be in a position to speak about what happened.

“Even the smallest piece of information could open up new lines of inquiry and help to bring this case to a successful conclusion. Justice has no time limit and it’s vital we get justice for Brendan’s family.”

Recording an unlawful killing verdict at Mr Penn’s inquest in 1998, Coroner Roger Whittaker said a “wall of silence” had prevented the killer being brought to justice.

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Anyone with information contact HMET, via 101, or Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.