Bounty on double killing suspect

Scotland Yard today placed a £10,000 bounty on the head of a murder suspect who allegedly machinegunned two men in a row over a car parking space.

Police took the unusual step of naming Ayub Khan, 21, as the suspect in the double killing of Amarjit Singh, 52, and his nephew Rajinder Singh, 35.

The two men were killed outside the family's Forest View Hotel in Forest Gate. Amarjit Singh's 26-year old daughter escaped the gunfire by throwing herself to the ground.

Police announced the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Khan or his two unnamed associates.

The shootings took place on Friday 29 August last year. Witnesses told police how voices were raised in a row over a parking space between the Singhs and a group of Asian men.

Police believe the victims' van had blocked in a VW Golf driven by Khan.

After the row the group of men left but returned minutes later armed with a sub-machinegun and started attacking the family's van. Mr Singh and his nephew, who ran a string of hotels across east London and Essex, were killed when they ran back out to confront the gang.

Khan is described as slim and 5ft 5in tall. Police believe he has contacts in east London but are also considering the possibility that he has fled abroad.

Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 020 8345 1570, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.