Aylesbury family's neverending grief over unsolved murder of Mustafa Charkaui

"He would have been so proud" says Christina Charkaui, as she speaks about her grandchildren.

Her husband Mustafa Charkaui never got to see his grandchildren grow up, because in 2007 he was bludgeoned to death in a senseless attack at the couple's home in Dunsham Lane.

And while nearly 14 years have passed since the horrific crime, it is clear that the family has never completely moved on.

How could they, no one has ever been charged with Mustafa's murder, and four children are growing up without really knowing their grandad.

Christina, who was herself seriously injured in the attack says that the impact on the family is wide reaching, and that things have not been the same since.

She said: "He would have been so proud of his grandchildren and all they have achieved, he already doted on the two boys who do remember him, but the girls were too young to know him properly and that breaks our hearts."

Mustafa would have enjoyed spoiling four grandchildren. boys are both at university and twin girls aged 15 who are doing well at school.

Their father Tarik, Mustafa's son, says it feels as though police have stopped working to catch his father's killers, and this week joined Christina in appealing for anyone who knows anything about the murder to come forward.

A private investigator is now looking into the case with the family's support, and can be reached via the email address [email protected]

Tarik said: "Quite a lot of the family drifted apart after dad died, because he was such a family icon, and what held everything together. People went to him and asked his advice and he really was a big character, so once that was gone so was a lot of family life as we knew it.

"Dad's best friend died about two weeks after he passed away, so it was a double tragedy for a lot of people who knew us. Older members of our community still come up to me now and ask if there is an update, but there never is."

In March 2007 masked robbers broke into Mustafa and Christina's home, and the 57 year-old died after being struck with a spade.

The family believes that the act was committed by someone known to Mustafa, and could have been an act of jealousy, because of the family man's status within the community.

Thames Valley Police's cold case team say that they are still investigating the murder, and plan to issue a reappeal on the anniversary in March.

At the time of the murder a Crimestoppers appeal offered £50,000 to anyone who could provide information which led to a conviction.

For the family the feeling of loss will never go away, and is just as raw as the day that Mustafa was taken from them.

But they say that a conviction would end the dreadful feeling of not knowing which surrounds their loved-one's death.

Christina said: "It wouldn't bring him back, but a trial would help us to know why it happened, and it would put whoever did it in prison where they belong. There is someone dangerous out there still."