Family of man murdered in litter row tell of grief

LONDON, Aug 15 (Reuters) The sister of a man murdered in a row over litter thrown into a car spoke today of the family's grief at his death.

Evren Anil, 23, died after confronting two youths who had thrown litter through the window of a car in which he was a passenger whilst stopped at traffic lights in Crystal Palace, south London, at about midday on Aug 5.

One of the youths, described as black and in their late teens, pulled out a knife and threatened a passer-by who had come to help Anil.

Anil, from Upper Norwood, was punched and fell to the floor, suffering a serious injury when his head hit the pavement. He died in hospital on Monday.

''What I and my family have been through in the past 10 days, I can't describe it. It's very hard,'' his sister Elif told the BBC. ''I don't wish this on anyone else. This needs to be sorted out.'' Police have arrested and bailed five men in connection with the murder.

''This was an excessive use of violence by two youths who apparently attacked Mr Anil because he dared to challenge their behaviour,'' said Detective Chief Inspector Cliff Lyons.

''He never recovered from the injuries he sustained that day and leaves behind a family trying to come to terms with their loss.'' REUTERS PD BST2125