The lead detective in the Mujib Hakim murder investigation has praised the Watford Observer for its help in snaring the 40-year-old’s killer.

Josh Lewis, who was on Wednesday jailed for 24 years after being found guilty of stabbing the Royal Holloway University graduate to death, handed himself in to police after an appeal was published in the newspaper and on this website.

The 21-year-old walked into Watford’s Shady Lane station after seeing his photograph and a police statement printed in July.

In the report, police revealed their belief that the unidentified Lewis, pictured in a CCTV still featured alongside the article, held the key to Mr Hakim’s mystery disappearance.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Collin, leading the murder investigation, said: “We didn’t know who he was and at that stage he was just a significant witness. The report was undoubtedly of assistance to us in identifying that person.

“A lot of police time and effort would have been wasted trying to find that individual without the appeal. I would like to thank the Watford Observer for running the piece as it shows an excellent case of how the media and police can work together to detect crime and I am grateful to them.”

The breakthrough proved a key point in the investigation as officers quickly shifted their attention away from three suspects who were later released without charge and focused their efforts on Lewis.

Subsequent enquiries brought Lewis, who had no previous convictions, to the centre of the investigation and following a three-day search of his Merton Road home, Mr Hakim’s body was found.

Chilling CCTV footage, used as evidence in the trial, shows Lewis approaching Mr Hakim as he walked along Market Street towards the town centre.

In the video, the pair then walk back in the direction of Merton Road to what police believe was the scene of the street dancer’s brutal murder.