A grim discovery on remote and rugged West Yorkshire moorland sparked urgent police inquiries on both sides of the Pennines.

A Fiat Punto had been abandoned in a lay-by not far from a former pub built in the early 1800s as a 'halfway house' on an old Roman road between Huddersfield and Rochdale.

When the grey car was checked by a PCSO on Saturday, August 31, 2019, a 19-year-old man was found dead inside the vehicle on Scammonden Moor, Kirklees.

The shock discovery of Najeebullah Nekzad's body in the passenger seat of the Fiat on New Hey Road was a puzzle from the outset, with police describing the death as 'unexplained' as they appealed for information in the days and weeks to come.

Even now, after a man was jailed for life this week for murder, many questions remain unanswered - not least the fact a motive for the callous killing has never been disclosed.

What's more, the hunt for a second suspect remains ongoing.

Despite inquiries being led by West Yorkshire Police's Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, the trail of evidence soon started to lead detectives to the other side of the hill, specifically the Tameside market town of Ashton-under-Lyne.

It was here where Mr Nekzad had become well-known in the community through his work at a local takeaway. 

On Monday, Gol Zazai, aged 30, also from Ashton, was sentenced to life with a minimum of 20 years in prison for the murder of Mr Nekzad.

Zazai was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court for the offence in which Mr Nekzad, who was originally from Afghanistan, was strangled and left in the car.

T/ACC Pat Twiggs of West Yorkshire Police, who was the senior investigating officer in the case, said: “We welcome the sentencing of Zazai for his part in a truly callous offence in which Najeebullah was murdered and left abandoned in a remote part of Kirklees.

“The substantial sentence he has been given reflects the gravity of this crime, the motive for which, Zazai has never disclosed.”

He added: “We know Zazai didn’t act alone in committing this offence and the investigation into his killing remains open.

“Anyone who has information about the case can contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team on 101 quoting Operation Palmetto or email to xc.palmetto@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk “Information can also be given anonymously to the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.