The family and friends of murdered shopkeeper Mahmut Fahri will gather today to mark the first anniversary of his death.

Pillar of the community Mr Fahri, 59, was stabbed to death for two bottles of whisky at the Albion grocery Store in Whittington Road, Bounds Green, on December 21. The hard working married father-of-two was blinded with chilli powder, punched and repeatedly knifed in the chest, in a senseless attack which rocked the close-knit community.

Davinder Minhas-Singh was sentenced to life for Mr Fahri's murder in October, while Abdul Qadeer was sentenced to 12 years for manslaughter.

His son Fahri Fahri said: "Today will be a time of reflection and I shall be spending the day with my mum, Pembe."

He added: "Christmas Day is going to be very different when that one important person isn't going to be there.

"It was the only day of the year dad would shut the shop and we could all spend quality time together at home, eating lots of food, playing card games and having a good chin wag.

"I would be lying if I said I was looking forward to Christmas this year, but I am focusing on my wife and children.

"Mum is going to find it the hardest though. She is very much a different person. The men who murdered my father are locked up, but the people left behind are really suffering. "

Mr Fahri, who was married to Pembe for 37 years, is buried at Tottenham Cemetery. His family are dedicating a bench in his memory near his graveside.