A FATHER-OF-THREE died when he was stabbed through the heart after inadvertently getting caught up in a midnight streetfight.

Brendan Penn, of St Mary’s Crescent, Wyke, was only 22-years-old when he died on August 15, 1991.

He was on his way to visit friends when he was attacked on Cecil Avenue, in Great Horton.

A dark saloon car with three men in it was seen speeding down Horton Park Avenue and police found the young dad lying on the pavement. He was rushed to Bradford Royal Infirmary but died there.

At the time of his death, the youngest of his three daughters, Charlotte, was just three weeks old.

His family described him as "great fun" and his brother Tony added: "He liked a drink and was a bit of a night owl.

“He liked playing music, Thin Lizzy and Pink Floyd, but he was a hard worker and his eldest daughter Tammy was with him everywhere he went. The children all miss him."

Coroner Roger Whittaker recorded a verdict of unlawful killing at an inquest in 1998 - seven years after his death.

At the time police said a “wall of silence” had prevented Brendan’s killer being brought to justice.

Detective Superintendent Tony Whittle, who headed the murder inquiry, told the inquest that Mr Penn had not been involved in the disturbance.

Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus afterwards, he said: "There was a wall of silence. I think it was caused by two misconceptions, first that Brendan Penn was an aggressor, and he wasn't.

"He walked into a fight but had no part in it. Secondly, I believe there has been a false sense of loyalty to those who committed the crime. There were 50 to 60 people around at the time, so someone knows."

The coroner urged people to come forward, but key information was never forthcoming.

He added: "It's dreadful that people who have information are in fact deliberately withholding it. Hopefully some people with a little conscience may come forward."

Police re-opened the case 12 years ago and met with members of his family, who hoped that advances in forensic technology could bring them answers.

His twin sister Debbie and brother Tony told the Telegraph & Argus the passage of time had not made his murder any easier to bear.

Speaking to this newspaper in 2009, they pleaded with anyone who had information to come forward.

He said: “We are clinging to the hope that if there is still evidence available, new DNA advances will be able to make use of it.

“We would like the police to re-open the case and interview the old witnesses.

“It may be after all this time that people who were there have fallen out and there may be a little whisper about who was responsible.

“After the murder we were told the police had a suspect and they were trying to get the evidence, but they never succeeded."

The case was last publicised by West Yorkshire Police in 2016 on the 25th anniversary of Mr Penn's death.

With the 30th anniversary approaching, it is the latest unsolved murder to feature in the Telegraph & Argus Cold Case Files.

The officer leading the investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Jim Dunkerley, again said he believed people in the community knew who was responsible for Mr Penn's death.

Mr Dunkerley added that a allegiances may have changed in the time that has passed and people may now be in a position to speak about what happened.

He urged anyone with even the smallest piece of information to speak to police as it could have opened up a new line of inquiry.

A Force spokesperson said: "West Yorkshire Police has a dedicated team of detectives who carry out reviews of these investigations in line with new evidence coming to light or advances in forensic technology. 

"If you have information which may assist, then please contact the Major Investigation Review Team on 101 or by using the contact options on the West Yorkshire Police website. 

"Information can also be reported anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."