MURDERER Tanveer Ahmed was “laughing and grinning” after he had brutally stabbed Asad Shah to death, his brother has revealed.

Athar Shah was one of the only witnesses to the attack on March 24, during which he was slashed in the neck as he tried in vain to save Asad.

A shop assistant had shouted to Athar, saying his brother needed help.

Athar, thinking he may have had an issue with a phone or computer, came upstairs from his gym in the newsagent basement to see Asad grappling with his killer on Minard Road.

The 36-year-old is unable to bring himself to say the name of his brother’s killer - Tanveer Ahmed - after what happened next.

He explained: “I came out of the gym empty handed with just my mobile in my pocket.

“I saw Asad and his murderer outside the shop door, both standing holding on to each other.

“The murderer was holding on to my brother’s shoulder with one hand and using the other to stab him over the head.”

Athar saw his brother trying to defend himself, and ran up to grab his killer when he was slashed in the neck.

He still has a scar from his injury.

He said: “I picked up the advertisement stand and started hitting him on his back and side until he fell and let go of Asad.

“He dropped the knife and I helped my brother up and supported him over my shoulder, and asked him to run with me for help.

“The murderer had managed to get up and chase us right to the bus stop and kicked me. That’s where I lost Asad.”

Athar tried to fight off the killer as Ahmed stamped on his face and head, before returning to the bus stop.

He explained: “When my brother was breathing his last the murderer just walked away and sat on the pavement next to the bus stop laughing and grinning as if he had accomplished his job.”

Asad's family have today spoken out against critics who said the shopkeeper was mentally ill. His widow has also spoken out about her husband's killer and his continued preaching behind bars.