DETECTIVES have pledged to bring to justice the killers of Bradford grandfather Clement 'Butch' Desmier, as his family start a third year without him.

The 68-year-old father-of-six died after suffering 70 separate injuries in a vicious attack at his home in Rowlestone Rise, Greengates, on Thursday, August 23, 2012.

Mr Desmier, who had ten grandchildren and was described as having "a heart of gold," was found slumped in his armchair with a pillow over his head. He had been stabbed 40 times and tortured before he was killed.

The motive for the brutal murder remains unclear and, despite a number of arrests being made during the investigation, his killers are still at large.

Earlier this year it was revealed that police had made a breakthrough with new forensic leads, which are still being followed.

But despite numerous public appeals, and a £10,000 Crimestoppers reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible, relatives are still seeking closure.

In a statement his family said: "We have had our third Christmas since our dad and grandad was cruelly taken from us. No-one has been brought to justice over this dreadful crime that has devastated our lives.

"Christmas was especially hard, because it is all about family - but we feel we can't move on until justice has been done.

"We urge anyone with information to come forward and speak with the police and help us to move on with our lives."

The senior investigating officer echoed the thoughts of the family and vowed to do everything to bring the case to a successful conclusion.

Detective Superintendent Mark Ridley, of West Yorkshire Police's Protective Services (Crime) department, said: "This is still very much an ongoing investigation and we are continuing to follow a number of lines of inquiry.

"We are still keen to identify the man who was seen with Butch, entering his house on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 22, 2012, and the people seen in his garden in the early hours of the following day.

"Butch's family are still desperate for answers as to why he was murdered and have now spent their third Christmas without him.

"I still firmly believe that those responsible will have confided in others and, because of the location of the offence, that those people will have links to the local community.

"I would appeal to anyone with information about those responsible for the murder of Butch Desmier, or why he was killed, to contact West Yorkshire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."