THE family of a murdered delivery driver have demanded justice as detectives investigate whether racist thugs were behind the attack.

Mohammed Saleem Khan’s relatives said they are devastated by the killing in Easingwold, North Yorkshire, of the married father, whose wife is due to give birth.

Mr Khan, 37, had been delivering shower products in the town, on Saturday, in the hours before he was stabbed in the neck.

After travelling from Luton, in Bedfordshire, to identify his body, Mr Khan’s family released a statement calling for the full weight of the law to come down on his killers.

The family said: “Following our tragic loss of Saleem, his family and wife, who is due to give birth, want to see justice for his murder. We want those responsible to be imprisoned and we appeal to the courts for this to happen.

“The family thanks North Yorkshire Police for their ongoing efforts with the investigation and the support they have provided to us at this very difficult time.

“We request our family is allowed to grieve in private as we try to come to terms with the sudden and tragic loss of Saleem.”

Police were yesterday granted an extra 36 hours by magistrates in York to question a 26-year-old man from Easingwold.

Another local man, aged 23, has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

He remains in police custody.

A 20-year-old woman and two men, aged 21 and 25, who were arrested on Monday in connection with assisting an offender, have been released on police bail.

After combing the Long Street area of the town again yesterday, officers recovered a knife close to where Mr Khan was found by an off-duty policeman at 2.30am on Sunday, slumped behind the wheel of a van.

Detective Chief Inspector Heather Pearson said: “Although a weapon has been recovered, we still need to establish whether this was used in the murder of Mr Khan.

“I urge people in Easingwold to remain vigilant and contact the police or Crimestoppers if they see any suspicious objects.”

Anyone who saw the white Europcar Ford van in Easingwold between 7pm on Saturday and 7am o