A JUDGE instead of a coroner will lead an inquest into the death of a young Asian man shot dead by police in West Yorkshire four years ago. 

Yassar Yaqub was in one of two cars travelling together on the trans-Pennine M62 motorway on January 2 2017 when four unmarked police vehicles stopped them after they turned on to a slip road at junction 24 at Ainley Top, outside Huddersfield.

The 28-year-old father-of-two, Mr Yaqub, was shot by a police marksman and it was reported at the time that three bullets were fired through the windscreen of the car.

In the same police operation, three people were arrested in Huddersfield and two in the nearby city of Bradford.

The killing led to protests two days later in Bradford.

Mr Yaqub’s father, Mohammed Yaqub, a businessman in Huddersfield, has campaigned to discover the truth about his son’s killing, assisted by barrister Michael Mansfield QC.

Following a pre-inquest review at Leeds Crown Court on Friday,  it was announced that a judge instead of a coroner will lead a jury at the inquest on a date to be announced.

The inquest will be led by the Recorder of Leeds, Judge Guy Kearl QC. 

Mr Yaqub said the last four years had been a very hard time for his family but he was pleased that the inquest would be led by a judge.

“Hopefully, the inquest will take place this year. We will never give up the fight to uncover the truth of my son’s death,” Mr Yaqub said.