£5,000 reward put on the head of driver police say ran down and killed pedestrian (From The Argus)

£5,000 reward put on the head of driver police say ran down and killed pedestrian

12:36pm Monday 22nd October 2012 in News By Anna Roberts, Crime reporter

A £5,000 reward has been put on the head of a driver police say ran down and killed a pedestrian.

The father of tragic Kalan Fletcher today pleaded with people who had information about Imran Skaukat’s whereabouts to come forward.

Police revealed illegal immigrant Shaukat was still likely to be in the UK and possibly using a false name to avoid capture.

Steven Fletcher, who used to live with his son in Keymer, near Hassocks, said: “Kalan's family, friends and I want anyone with information regarding the fatal hit and run collision or the whereabouts of the driver, Imran Shaukat, to come forward.

“We believe he might be in the London area and anyone with information leading to his conviction could be rewarded with £5,000.

“Please, please come forward.”

Kalan, 23, was killed exactly a year ago as he walked along London Road, Hassocks.

He had been out in Brighton and was walking a friend home when he was hit by a Ford van that police traced later that day in Worthing.

Kalan's mother Stella Hawker, who lives in Margate, Kent, also appealed for 27-year-old Shaukat to come forward.

She said: "I can understand him being scared and leaving that night but I can’t understand why it has taken him so long to come forward.

“It's a torment for my kids. Kalan has gone. He isn’t going to turn up at the door and in their eyes there is no closure.

"We need to end this torment.

“Shaukat should do the humane thing and come forward.

“I would appeal to anyone who knows him to call the police as to his whereabouts."

Sergeant Peter Verney added: “I hope the reward will prompt people to come forward.

“I believe that Imran Skaukat, a Pakistani national, is still in this country possibly under a false identity.

“I am appealing particularly to the Asian community to assist us in tracing him.

“Mr Skaukat has forged many friendships since he arrived in this country five years ago and I would urge anyone who may know where he is to think of Kalan's family and the torment they are under."

He revealed that after the crash Shaukat fled the scene, returned home to Worthing and later that day travelled to Luton. It appears that he travelled to London a few days later.

Sgt Verney said: "We are following a number of leads and on the anniversary of his death urge anyone who knows where he might be to get in touch.”

Call Sussex Police on 101 quoting Operation Primary or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Any information provided will be treated in confidence.