Murder arrest over businessman's death in 2004

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a prominent Leeds businessman more than 20 years ago.

John Luper, 57, was killed during a robbery at his home in Sandmoor Drive, Alwoodley on 16 February 2004.

His wife and daughter and their au pair were also tied up during the raid.

West Yorkshire Police said that, following "the examination of forensic materials", a 55-year-old man had been arrested in Bradford earlier and taken into custody.

Police said Luper was attacked by a group of masked intruders as he walked his dog near a neighbour's driveway at about 23:30.

He was then dragged back to his home where the thieves used duct tape to tie up his wife and daughter and their au pair in an upstairs room.

The thieves took cash and jewellery worth about £100,000, including a rare Cartier watch, and escaped from the Lupers' home.

Luper was later found by his wife and daughter in a downstairs room after they managed to free themselves.

Police were called but despite attempts to resuscitate him he was pronounced dead at the scene. Post-mortem tests showed he died from asphyxiation.

Det Supt Damian Roebuck said the investigation team were "firmly committed to doing everything we can to get justice for John Luper and his family.

"It is more than 22 years since John's brutal murder and we are no less determined to find out who killed him.

"He was a prominent businessman in north Leeds so I would urge anyone who is aware of people making inquiries into him and his business dealings around the time of the murder to please come forward with names.

"Likewise, perhaps you were approached and asked to buy jewellery from unknown people around the time of the murder.

"This information could prove vital to our investigation."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.