John Luper murder: Brother's appeal for justice over man's killing in 2004

John Luper was attacked while walking his dog and dragged back to his home in Alwoodley

The brother of a man killed by robbers in Leeds exactly 20 years ago has said he will not rest until the attackers are "in the place they deserve to be".

Businessman John Luper, 57, was found unconscious following a raid at his family's home in Alwoodley in 2004 and died shortly afterwards.

Mr Luper's wife, daughter and their au pair were also tied up during the raid.

In an emotional plea on the attack's 20th anniversary, Toby Luper said his brother's killers "must be known".

According to West Yorkshire Police, John Luper was attacked by either four or five intruders at about 23:20 GMT on 16 February 2004 while he was walking his dog.

He was then dragged back to his home on Sandmoor Drive where the thieves used duct tape to tie up his wife and daughter and their au pair in an upstairs room.

The thieves took cash and jewellery worth about £100,000, including a rare Cartier watch, and escaped from the Lupers' home.

Mr Luper was later found by his wife and daughter in another room of the house after they managed to free themselves.

Police were called at about 01:45 GMT, but despite attempts to resuscitate Mr Luper, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Appealing for information, Tony Luper said his brother was a "loyal family man who would help anyone"

In a tearful video appeal, Tony Luper said that two decades on from his brother's killing, he was still "affected the same".

"The people that did this must be known. The people that know them must have known what happened. It's impossible not to," he added.

"They've got away with this for 20 years."

Mr Luper said he believed advances in science could eventually bring about the capture and punishment of those involved in his brother's death.

"Hopefully what's going on now with the police investigations will enable these people to be caught and brought to justice eventually, through the advances of DNA technology," he said.

'I want justice'

Speaking about his quest for justice for his brother and family, he said: "I can't forgive the attacker, I'll never forgive. He's given me a life sentence."

He said his mother had "cried every day" until her death.

"I don't want sympathy, I want justice. I will never go away until these people are in the place they deserve to be," he added.

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said the force was continuing to investigate the unsolved murder.

Detectives had a "particular focus on advances in forensic science" which could bring new lines of inquiry from existing evidence, the spokesperson said.

Det Ch Insp Damian Roebuck, senior investigating officer, said: "The devastating effects of what happened 20 years ago are still heartfelt with the family of John Luper.

"I would urge anyone who, around February or January 2004, knew of persons making inquiries into him and his business dealings to come forward with names.

"After 20 years, our allegiances change and misguided loyalty subsides. It's now time to come forward," he added.